JP2020024434A - Multi-channel pairing in media system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide technology for grouping, integrating and pairing individual playback devices and network compatible players in a multi-channel listening environment.SOLUTION: In a configuration 100 which is a part or a complex of multiple zones of houses, homes, business buildings, having a number of multimedia players 102, 104, 106 as audio devices and control devices 140, 142 as controllers, two or more playback devices can be grouped into a single or integrated playback device. The integrated playback device is paired with one or more playback devices. Each playback device of the integrated playback device can be switched to the integration mode to change the equalization of one or more speaker drivers of any particular playback device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The techniques described herein are directed to techniques for use in the field of consumer electronics. In particular, certain embodiments are directed to media system pairing multi-channel.

  Music is widely part of our daily life. And thanks to technological advances, music content is now more accessible than ever. The same can be said for other types of media, such as television, movies, and other audio and video content. In fact, at present, users can access content on the Internet through online stores, Internet radio stations, online music services, online movie services, etc., in addition to conventional means of accessing audio and video content. .

  The demand for such audio and video content continues to surge. Given the high demand over the years, the technology used to access and play such content has also improved. Nevertheless, the technologies used to access content and play such content can be significantly enhanced or developed in ways that markets and end users cannot expect.

  The embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, various devices, systems, methods, and computer program products. This section is intended to summarize some aspects of particular embodiments. To avoid obscuring the purpose, abstract, and title of this section, simplifications or omissions of the abstract or the title of this description may be made, as in this section. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the various inventions described herein.

  In summary, the embodiments described herein provide techniques for grouping, merging, and pairing individual playback devices to create or enhance a multi-channel listening environment. In particular, embodiments herein can pair two or more playback devices, thereby realizing or enhancing multi-channel audio. In such embodiments, it may also be used to create stereo sound or other audio environment suitable for audio content encoded on two or more channels, such as certain televisions, movies, and music, for example. Good.

  For example, an apparatus according to an embodiment includes a network interface, a plurality of speaker drivers, an amplifier, and a processor. The network interface receives audio data on the network. The amplifier supplies power to a plurality of speaker drivers. The processor processes the output audio data through a plurality of speaker drivers. The processor sets a first equalization of the output from the speaker driver according to the first type of pairing, and further sets a second equalization of the output from the speaker driver according to the second type of pairing. I do.

  In another example, a method according to an embodiment includes receiving audio data over a network and processing output audio data through a plurality of speaker drivers. The method includes setting a first equalization of an output from a speaker driver according to a first type of pairing, a second equalization of an output from a plurality of speaker drivers according to a second type of pairing. Further comprising setting

  One of the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention is to achieve or enhance a multi-channel listening environment. Many other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

  These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the technology described herein will be better understood by those skilled in the art in the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which a particular embodiment may be implemented. FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary functional block diagram of a player according to certain embodiments. FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a controller that may be used to remotely control one or more players of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C illustrates an example of a controller that may be used to remotely control one or more players of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is an example of a functional block diagram inside a controller according to a specific embodiment. FIG. 3A provides an illustration of a zone scene setting. FIG. 3B shows that the user defines multiple groups to be collected simultaneously. FIG. 4 shows an example of a user interface that can be displayed on the controller or the computer of FIG. FIG. 5A shows an example of a user interface that allows a user to form a scene. FIG. 5B shows another example of a user interface that allows a user to form a scene. FIG. 5C illustrates an example of a user interface that allows a user to adjust the volume level of a zone player in a zone scene individually or collectively. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart or process for providing a player theme or zone scene for a plurality of players, where one or more players are placed in a zone. FIG. 7 shows an example of a configuration in which an audio source is reproduced by two players according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 shows an example of a configuration of pairing among a plurality of players according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart or process for grouping a plurality of audio products, in which different soundtracks are played back synchronously to simulate a multi-channel listening environment. FIG. 10A shows an example of a controller snapshot used in certain embodiments. FIG. 10B illustrates an example of a controller snapshot used in certain embodiments. FIG. 10C shows an example of a controller snapshot used in certain embodiments. FIG. 10D illustrates an example of a controller snapshot used in certain embodiments. FIG. 10E illustrates an example of a controller snapshot used in certain embodiments. FIG. 10F shows an example of a controller snapshot used in certain embodiments.

Furthermore, while the drawings are intended to describe certain embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the drawings.
I. Overview

  The embodiments described herein relate to multi-channel pairing in media systems. Embodiments are particularly useful for pairing two or more playback devices together to create or enhance a multi-channel audio reproduction, such as stereo, surround sound, or some other multi-channel environment. . Embodiments will also find utility in connection with any system where multi-channel pairing is desired.

  In the embodiment, two playback devices that can output a plurality of audio channels independent of each other are selected and paired. After such pairing, one playback device is configured to output a first subset of the plurality of audio channels, and another playback device outputs a second subset of the plurality of audio channels. It is set as follows. The first and second subsets are different from each other. For example, each playback device is set to operate in a two-channel or stereo mode before being paired (eg, each playback device is played with both right and left channel audio). After pairing, one playback device is reconfigured to output the first channel (eg, right channel audio, not left channel audio), and the other playback device is configured to output the first channel. It is reset to output a second channel that is different from the channel (eg, left channel audio, not right channel audio).

  In another embodiment, three or more playback devices capable of outputting a plurality of audio channels independent of another playback device in the collection are selected and paired. After such pairing, each of the playback devices is set to output a different audio channel from the collection. This embodiment is particularly useful for television or cinema type settings. Certain playback devices of the plurality of playback devices are set to output in two channels or stereo mode at a time (eg, when playing a song), and after pairing, the front right channel, front To be output as a center channel, front left channel, rear right channel, rear left channel, subwoofer channel, etc. (eg, when watching TV or a movie or listening to music containing more than two channels) Set,

  In another embodiment, one of the paired playback devices, for example, splits the data into respective channels that display data for audio items and display a single soundtrack. The playback device sends the divided channels to the other respective playback devices. The playback device plays back those characteristic channels in synchronization and creates a multi-channel listening environment. Alternatively, each of the paired playback devices processes the data of the audio item, or a portion of the data, and plays them alone or one or more channels designed for the respective playback device.

  In another embodiment, two or more playback devices can be grouped into a single or integrated playback device, where the integrated playback device is paired with one or more playback devices. Can be. For example, two playback devices may be grouped into a first integrated playback device, and two other playback devices may be grouped into a second integrated playback device. The first and second integrated playback devices may, for example, be paired. In certain embodiments, each playback device of the integrated playback device can be switched to integrated mode to change the equalization of one or more speaker drivers of any particular playback device. Further, one or more additional playback devices may be added to the integrated playback device.

  In certain embodiments, the playback device is configured to output an audio channel and is paired with one or more other playback devices. As such, the playback device is reconfigured to output a different audio channel. For example, a playback device may output the right channel in stereo mode, but after being paired with one or more other playback devices, is reconfigured to output the rear, right channel in theater mode. Is also good. A playback device may be paired with one or more other playback devices.

  In certain embodiments, the playback device is configured to output multiple audio channels and is paired with one or more other playback devices. As such, the playback device is configured to output a subset of the plurality of audio channels associated with one or more other playback devices. For example, the playback device may be set to output in two-channel or stereo mode, but may be set to output the right or left channel after being paired with one or more playback devices. Good. A playback device may be paired with one or more other playback devices.

  In certain embodiments, the playback device comprises a network interface, one or more speaker devices, an amplifier, and a processor. The network interface receives audio data on the network. The amplifier supplies power to the speaker driver. The processor processes audio data output through the speaker driver. The processor sets a first equalization of the output from the speaker driver according to the first type of pairing, and further sets a second equalization of the output from the speaker driver according to the second type of pairing. I do. The playback device can operate in any of unpaired mode, paired mode, integrated mode, and group mode.

  In certain embodiments, the controller is specifically configured to pair two or more playback devices, creating a multi-channel audio environment. That is, through the controller, the user can select which playback device to pair with. Once programmed, the playback device can operate in pair mode, for example, until released. In some embodiments, the controller is wirelessly connected to one or more playback devices. In other embodiments, the controller is hardwired with one or more playback devices.

  According to certain embodiments, the operation of pairing two or more playback devices is triggered based on a command from a user via a control interface (eg, a manual command creates a pair) or in response to an event. (For example, an automatic command creates a pair). The sample event is used to detect changes in the audio content (e.g., the audio content has two channel content and therefore has three or more channel content, and vice versa), and identifies Detection of a particular type of entertainment (e.g., detecting whether a user is watching TV or listening to music), or any other programmed to create a pair with a playback device Including events. Event detection may be performed, for example, by a controller, one of the playback devices, or some other device.

  According to certain embodiments, in an attempt to optimize multi-channel pairing, the settings of the playback device include changing the equalization of the playback device by changing the equalization of one or more particular speaker drivers; It may include either optimizing the synchronization between the devices in the pair. Examples of changing the equalization are described further below.

  These and some other embodiments are described more fully below. Furthermore, the detailed description is primarily in terms of example environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processes, and other symbolic representations that are directly or indirectly similar to the operation of a networked data processing device. Be presented. These process descriptions and expressions are commonly used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the invention may be practiced without certain details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

Reference herein to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and are not separate or alternative embodiments, excluding other embodiments. The embodiments described herein can be explicitly and implicitly combined with other embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
II. Environment example

  Referring to the figures, like numerals therein may indicate like parts throughout the several views. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration 100 in which certain embodiments may be implemented. Configuration 100 can represent, without limitation, a home, a home, a portion of a business building, or a complex with multiple zones. A number of multimedia players in three examples 102, 104, and 106 are shown as audio devices. Each of the audio devices may be located or provided in one particular area or zone, and is therefore referred to herein as a zone player.

  As used herein, unless otherwise specified, an audio source or sources are typically in digital form and can be transmitted or streamed over a data network. To facilitate understanding of the example environment of FIG. 1, it is assumed that configuration 100 represents a home. However, it is understood that this technique is not limited to that environment of the application. Returning to FIG. 1, one or two zone players 102 and 104 may be located in the bedroom, and a zone player 106 may be located or located in the living room. Zone players 102, 104, and 106 are directly or indirectly connected to network 108. Further, computing device 110 is shown connected over network 108. In fact, any other device such as a home gateway device, storage device, or MP3 player may be connected to the network 108 as well.

  Network 108 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of both. In one example, all devices, including zone players 102, 104, and 106, are connected to network 108 by wireless means based on an industry standard such as IEEE 802.11. In yet another example, all devices, including zone players 102, 104, and 106, are part of a local area network that communicates with a wide area network (eg, the Internet). In yet another example, all devices including the zone players 102, 104, 106 and the controller 142 form an ad hoc network, e.g. It is distinguished from neighboring settings similar to identification.

  Many devices on network 108 are configured to download and store audio sources. For example, the computing device 110 can download an audio source, such as audio associated with music or video, from the Internet (eg, “cloud”) or some other source, store the downloaded audio source, It can be shared locally with other devices on the network 108. Either the computing device 110 or the zone players 102, 104 and 106 may be configured to receive streaming audio. As shown as a stereo system, device 112 is configured to receive an analog audio source (eg, from broadcasting) or to retrieve a digital audio source (eg, from a compact disc). Analog audio sources can also be converted to digital audio sources. According to certain embodiments, various audio sources may be shared between devices on network.

  Two or more zone players (eg, any two or more zone players 102, 104, and 106) may be grouped together to form a new zone group. Some combinations of zone players and existing zone groups may be grouped together. In one example, a new zone group is formed by adding one zone player to another zone player or an existing zone group.

  In certain embodiments, there is more than one zone player in an environment (eg, a living room of a house). Instead of grouping these zone players and playing the same audio source synchronously, these two zone players may be set to play two different sounds on the left and right channels. In other words, the stereo effect of the sound is reproduced or enhanced through these two zone players, one left sound and the other right sound. Similarly, for a three-channel (or 2.1 sound effect) sound, three such zone players are reconfigured to have three speakers, and the left and right speakers and subwoofer form a stereo sound. Good. Details of the reconfiguration of the zone player and operation of these audio products are described further below. A similar configuration with multiple channels (more than 3, for example 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 channels, etc.) may be applied. For example, configurations using more than one channel are useful in television and theater type settings, whereby video content, such as television and movie formats, is played along with audio content that includes more than one channel. Further, certain music may be similarly encoded with more than one channel sound.

  In certain embodiments, two or more zone players may be merged to form a single integrated zone player. An integrated zone player may be further paired with a single zone player or yet another integrated zone player. An integrated zone player may include one or more individual playback devices. Each of the integrated playback devices is preferably set to an integrated mode.

  According to some embodiments, any of the grouping, merging, and pairing may continue to be performed until the desired settings are completed. The grouping, merging, and pairing operations are preferably performed through a control interface, rather than physically connecting and reconnecting speaker wires to, for example, individual separate speakers, to create different configurations. In such cases, certain embodiments described herein provide a more flexible and dynamic platform that can provide sound reproduction to end users.

It is understood that the techniques described herein are not limited to that environment of the application. For example, zones and zone players, the embodiments described herein may be used in homes, offices, gyms, schools, in addition to cars, watercraft, airplanes, amphitheater, outdoors, along village or city streets, and the like. , Hospitals, hotels, cinemas, shopping malls, stores, casinos, museums, theme parks, or any other location where audio content is played. Thus, it should be appreciated that the embodiments described herein may be used in connection with any system or application where multi-channel pairing is desired.
III. Playback device example

  Referring to FIG. 2A, an exemplary functional block diagram of the zone player 200 according to the embodiment is shown. The zone player 200 includes a network interface 202, a processor 204, a memory 206, an audio processing circuit 210, a module 212, and optionally, an internal or external audio amplifier 214, and an optional speaker unit connected to the audio amplifier 214. 218. The network interface 202 allows data flow between the data network (ie, the data network 108 of FIG. 1) and the zone player 200, generally implements special rules (ie, protocols), and passes data to each other. connect. One of the general protocols used on the Internet is TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Generally, network interface 202 manages the compression of audio sources or files into smaller packets, which are transmitted over the data network or decompress packets received into the original source or file. In addition, the network interface 202 handles the address portion of each packet such that each packet reaches the correct destination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player 200. Thus, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includes an IP-based destination address as well as an IP-based source address.

  The network interface 202 may include one or both of a wireless interface 216 and a wired interface 217. The wireless interface 216 is also referred to as an RF interface, and provides a network interface function by wireless means of the zone player 200, and uses a communication protocol (for example, wireless standard IEEE802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802). Communication with other devices in accordance with .15.1). The wired interface 217 provides a network interface function by a wired means (for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable). In one embodiment, zone players include both interfaces 216 and 217, and other zone players include only RF or wired interfaces. Thus, these other zone players communicate with other devices on the network or read audio sources via the zone players. The processor 204 is set to control the operation of other components in the zone player 200. Memory 206 can be loaded with one or more software modules that can be executed by processor 204 to accomplish a desired task. According to one embodiment, for example, when a software module implementing an embodiment described herein is executed, the processor 204 refers to the saved zone group settings that characterize the zone group created by the user. Acting upon the software module, the zone player 200 reads the audio source from another zone player or device on the network, synchronizes the players in the zone group, and plays the audio source as desired. According to another embodiment, a software module implementing an embodiment described herein creates a pair with two or more zone players to create a desired multi-channel audio environment.

  According to one embodiment, the memory 206 is used to store one or more saved zone configuration files and can be read at any time for modification. Generally, the saved zone group configuration file is transmitted to a controller (eg, control device 140 or 142, computer, portable device, or television in FIG. 1) when a user operates the control device. The zone group settings provide an interactive user interface where various operations or controls of the zone player can be performed.

  In certain embodiments, the audio processing circuit 210 is like the circuitry of an audio playback device, such as one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs), audio preprocessors, audio enhancers, or digital signal processors. including. In operation, when read through the network interface 202, the audio source is processed by the audio processing circuit 210 to generate an analog audio signal. The processed analog audio signal is then transmitted to the audio amplifier 214 and played on a speaker. In addition, the audio processing circuit 210 may include the necessary circuitry to process the analog signal as an input, the circuit generating a digital signal for sharing with other devices on the network.

  Depending on the exact implementation, module 212 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and software. In one embodiment, module 212 is used to save a scene. Audio amplifier 214 is an analog circuit that typically provides a provided analog audio signal to drive one or more speakers.

It is understood that the zone player 200 is an example of a playback device. Examples of playback devices include those zone players sold commercially by Sonos Inc. of Santa Barbara, California. They currently include zone player 90, zone player 120, and Sonos S5. Zone player 90 is an example of a zone player without a built-in amplifier, while zone player 120 is an example of a zone player with a built-in amplifier. S5 is an example of a zone player incorporating an amplifier and a speaker. In particular, S5 is a five drive speaker system that includes two tweeters, two midrange drivers, and one subwoofer. When playing audio content via S5, the left audio data of the track is transmitted from the left tweeter and the left mid-range driver, and the right audio data of the track is transmitted from the right tweeter and the right mid-range driver. , And the monaural bus is transmitted from the subwoofer. Further, both midrange drivers and both tweeters have the same (or substantially the same) equalization. That is, they are transmitted on the same frequency only from both different channels of audio. S5 is an example of a zone player with speakers, but zone players with speakers are not limited to those with a specific number of speakers (eg, five speakers as in S5), but rather one. It is understood that one or more speakers can be included. Further, a zone player may be part of a separate device, thereby serving a different primary purpose than audio.
IV. Controller example

  Referring to FIG. 2B, an example of a controller 240, which may correspond to the control device 140 or 142 of FIG. 1, is shown. The controller 240 can be used to enable control of multimedia applications, automation, and other complexities. In particular, controller 240 selects multiple audio sources available on the network, and controls the operation of one or more zone players (eg, zone player 200) through an RF interface corresponding to wireless interface 216 of FIG. 2A. Set to allow you to According to one embodiment, the wireless means is based on an industry standard (eg, infrared, wireless communication, wireless standards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15.1). . If a particular audio source is played on the zone player 200, an image, if any, associated with the audio source may be transmitted from the zone player 200 to the display of the controller 240. In one embodiment, controller 240 is used to synchronize the audio playback of one or more zone players by grouping the zone players within the group. In another embodiment, the controller 240 is used to control the volume of each zone player in the zone group individually or together.

  In one embodiment, the controller 240 is used to create a pairing with two or more playback devices to create or enhance a multi-channel listening environment. For example, controller 240 may be used to select and pair two or more playback devices. Further, controller 240 may be used to turn pairing on or off. The controller 240 may be used to integrate the playback device and further set a particular playback device to the integration mode. Thus, in some embodiments, the controller 240 provides a flexible mechanism for configuring a dynamic multi-channel audio environment. In some examples, pairing creates a multi-channel listening environment. In some examples, pairing enhances the multi-channel listening environment by increasing the distance between devices. For example, two individual playback devices located at a distance from each other can provide a listener with multiple channel separations rather than audio from a single device.

  The user interface of the controller 240 includes a screen 242 (eg, a liquid crystal display screen) and a set of function buttons, such as: a “zone” button 244, a “back” button 246, a “music” button 248, a scroll wheel 250, “ "OK" button 252, a set of transport control buttons 254, a mute button 256, a volume up / down button 264, and a set of soft buttons 266 corresponding to labels 268 displayed on screen 242.

  The screen 242 displays various screen menus according to the user's selection. In one embodiment, the “Zone” button 244 activates a zone management screen, the “Zone Menu”, described in more detail below. The “return” button 246 may cause different operations to be performed according to the current screen. In one embodiment, the "back" button triggers the current screen display to return to the previous screen. In another embodiment, the "back" button negates the user's misselection. The “Music” button 248 can activate a music menu and add an audio source (eg, song) selection to the music queue of the zone player to play.

  Scroll wheel 250 is used to select an item in a list that is always displayed on screen 242. If the list has too many items to fit on a single screen display, a scroll indicator such as a scroll bar or scroll arrow is displayed beside the list. When a scroll indicator is displayed, the user may select a displayed item or rotate the scroll wheel 250 to display a hidden item in the list. “OK” button 252 is used to confirm a user selection on screen 242.

  There are three transport buttons 254, which are used to control the effects of the currently playing song. For example, the functions of the transport button include playing / pausing a song, fast-forwarding / rewinding, going to the next song track, or returning to the previous track. According to one embodiment, pressing one of the volume control buttons, such as, for example, mute button 262 or volume up / down button 264, activates the volume panel. Further, there are three soft buttons 266, which can be activated in response to a label 268 on the screen 242. It is understood that in a multi-zone system, there may be multiple audio sources each played on one or more zone players. The music transport functions described herein should be selectively applied to one of the sources if the one corresponding to one of the zone players or zone groups is selected.

  FIG. 2C shows an example of a controller 260 that may correspond to the control device 140 or 142 of FIG. The controller 260 includes a touch screen and can navigate through a playlist of many items, for example, controlling the operation of one or more players with which the user interacts with the controller. In one embodiment, as further shown in FIGS. 10A-10F, a user may interact with the controller to create a multi-channel audio environment, eg, creating a stereo pair, or a multi-channel audio environment, eg, removing a stereo pair. It may be used to separate audio environments. Other network-enabled mobile devices, such as iPhone®, iPad®, any other smartphone or network-enabled device may be used as a controller to interact with multiple zone players in the environment, Or controlling (eg, a PC or a network computer such as Mac may be used as the controller). According to one embodiment, the application may be downloaded to a network enabled device. Such an application may implement most of the functions described above on controller 240 using a navigation mechanism or a touch screen within the device. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the flexibility of the application and the portability of the detailed description herein will allow it to be ported to new types of specific portable devices.

  FIG. 2D shows an internal functional block diagram of an example of a controller 270 that may correspond to the controller 240 of FIG. 2B, a computing device, a smartphone, or any other communication device. The screen 272 of the controller 270 may be a liquid crystal display screen. Screen 272 communicates with a screen driver 274 controlled by a microcontroller (eg, a processor) 276 to issue commands. Memory 282 may load one or more application modules 284 executable by microcontroller 276 with or without user input via user interface 278 to accomplish a desired task. In one embodiment, the application module is configured to group selected zone players into zone groups and to synchronize the zone players to one audio source. In another embodiment, the application module is configured to jointly control the audio sources (eg, volume) of the zone players of the zone group. In operation, when the microcontroller 276 executes one or more of the application modules 284, the screen driver 274 generates a control signal for driving the screen 272, and accordingly generates a control signal as described below. Many display application-specific user interfaces.

  The controller 270 includes a network interface 280, called an RF interface 280, to enable wireless communication with the zone player via its corresponding RF interface. In one embodiment, for example, commands such as volume control or audio playback synchronization are sent over the RF interface. In another embodiment, the saved zone group settings are transmitted between the zone player and the controller via the RF interface. Controller 270 may control one or more zone players, such as 102, 104, and 106 of FIG. Nevertheless, there may be multiple controllers in each preferred zone (e.g., room or rooms close to each other) and may be configured to control any one and all of the zone players.

  In one embodiment, a user creates a zone group that includes at least two zone players from a controller 240 that sends signals or data to one of the zone players. The signals received at one zone player are synchronized with the other zone players in the group so that all zone players are connected on the network, and in such a timely manner, All zone players play the same audio source or the same list of audio sources, with no or little or no gaps or skips. Similarly, if the user increases the audio volume from the controller, the signal or data that increases the audio volume of the group will be sent to one of the zone players to bring the other zone players in the group together to a similar volume. Enlarge.

  According to one embodiment, application modules are loaded into memory 282 for zone group management. When a given key (eg, “zone” button 244) is activated on controller 240, an application module is executed on microcontroller 276. An input interface 278 connected to and controlled by the microcontroller 272 receives input from a user. The “zone menu” is displayed on the screen 272. The user can group the zone players into zone groups by activating the "Link Zone" or "Add Zone" soft buttons, or activate the "Unlink Zone" or "Drop Zone" buttons. May be started. Details of the operation of the zone group are described further below.

  As described above, input interface 278 includes a screen graphical user interface as well as a plurality of function buttons. It should be pointed out that the controller 240 of FIG. 2B is not the only control device that can implement the embodiments. Other devices that provide equivalent control functions (eg, computing devices, handheld devices) may be configured to implement the invention. In the above description, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is clear that keys or buttons are usually referred to as physical buttons or soft buttons, allowing the user to enter commands or data.

One mechanism of zone players "connected" together for music playback links multiple zone players together to form a group. To link multiple zone players together, the user may manually link each zone player or room to each other. For example, there is a multi-zone system including the following zones.
Bathroom Bedroom Study Room Dining room Family room Entrance

  If the user wants to link five of the six zone players using the current mechanism, the user may start with a single zone and then manually link each zone to that zone. This mechanism can be quite time consuming. According to one embodiment, a set of zones can be dynamically linked together using commands. Using what is referred to herein as a theme or zone scene, a zone can be set to a particular scene (eg, morning, afternoon, or garden), and certain zone groupings and attribute settings for grouping can be set automatically. Can be achieved.

  For example, a "morning" zone scene / set command would link the bedroom, study, and dining room together in one operation. Without this single command, the user would have to manually link each zone individually. FIG. 3A provides an example of one zone scene, where the left column shows the start of zone grouping-all zones are separated, and the right column is named after "Morning". In order to create a group of three zones, the result of zone grouping is shown.

  Extending this idea further, zone scenes can be set up to create multiple linked zones. For example, the scene creates a group of three separate zones, zones downstairs linked together, zones upstairs linked together within their own group, and the outer zone (in this case, the patio) is Move into its own group.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the user defines multiple groups to be gathered simultaneously. For example, "evening scene" is desired to link the following zones.
-Group 1
○ Bedroom ○ Study ○ Dining room-Group 2
○ Garage ○ Garden Here, bathrooms, family rooms and entrances should be separated from any groups if they are part of a group before the zone scene is invoked.

A feature of certain embodiments is that the zones do not need to be separated before recalling a zone scene. In one embodiment, when invoked, a command is provided to link to all zones in one step. The command is in the form of a zone scene. After linking to the appropriate zone, the zone scene command can apply the following attributes:
Set the volume level in each zone (each zone has a different volume)
Muting / unmuting a zone Selecting and playing specific music in a zone Setting the music playback mode (shuffle, repeat, shuffle-repeat)
Set music playback equalization for each zone (eg, bass and treble)

  A further extension of this embodiment is to trigger a zone scene command as an alarm clock function. For example, the zone scene is set to be applied at 8:00 am It can be set to automatically link to the appropriate zone, play a particular music, and stop after a predetermined period. Although a single zone may be assigned to the alarm, setting the scene as an alarm clock means that several linked zones in the scene will have predefined audio (eg, favorite songs, predefined play List) can be played at a specific time or for a specific period of time. If, for any reason, the scheduled music fails to play (e.g., empty playlist, no connection to share, UPnP failure, no Internet connection for Internet radio station), a backup buzzer will sound. . This buzzer is a sound file stored in the zone player.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user interface 400 that may be displayed on the controller 142 or the computer 110 of FIG. The interface 400 displays a list of items that can be set by the user and allows the scene to function at a specific time. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the list of items includes "alarm", "time", "zone", "music", "frequency", and "alarm length". “Alarm” can be set on or off. If "Alarm" is set to on, "time" is a specific time to set the alarm off. "Zone" indicates that the zone player is set to play the specified audio at a specific time. “Music” indicates what is being played at a specific time. "Frequency" allows the user to define the frequency of the alarm. "Alarm length" defines how long the audio is played. It should be noted that user interface 400 is provided herein to illustrate some of the functions associated with setting alarms. Depending on the exact implementation, other features may also be provided, such as, for example, time zones for display, daylight savings time, time synchronization, and time / date format.

  In one embodiment, each zone in the scene may be set to a different alarm. For example, the "morning" scene includes three zone players, a bedroom, a study, and a dining room, respectively. After selecting a scene, the user may set an alarm for the scene as a whole. As a result, each of the zone players will be activated at a particular time.

  FIG. 5A shows a user interface 500 that allows a user to form a scene. The left panel shows zones that can be used at home. The right panel shows the zones that have been selected and grouped as part of this scene. Depending on the exact implementation of the user interface, add / remove buttons may be provided to move zones between panels, or zones may be dragged along the panels.

  FIG. 5B shows another user interface 520 that allows a user to form a scene. A user interface 520, which may be displayed on a controller or computing device, indicates available zones in the system. Check boxes are provided next to each of the zones so that the user can check the zones associated with the scene.

FIG. 5C illustrates a user interface 510 that allows a user to adjust the volume level of a zone player in a zone scene individually or collectively. As shown in the user interface 510, the "volume ..." button (slider, shown in other possible forms) affects the volume of the associated zone player when the zone scene is invoked. be able to. In one embodiment, when scenes are recalled, zone players can be set to maintain whatever volume they currently have. In addition, the user can determine whether to unmute or mute the volume when the scene is recalled.
V. Provide examples of player themes or zone scenes

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart or process 600 for providing a player theme or zone scene for a plurality of players, wherein one or more players are located in a zone. Process 600 is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and may be performed by a module located in memory 282 of FIG. 2C.

  Process 600 begins when a user decides to continue a zone scene at 602. The process 600 then moves to 604 where the user can determine which zone player to associate with the scene. For example, there are ten players at home and the scene is named after "Morning". The user may be provided with an interface to select four out of ten players associated with the scene. At 606, the scene is saved. The scene can be saved to any of the members in the scene. In the example of FIG. 1, the scene may be stored on one of the zone players and may be displayed on the controller 142. In operation, data associated with a scene includes a plurality of parameters. In one embodiment, the parameters include, but are not limited to, the associated player and playlist identifiers (eg, IP addresses). The parameters may include volume / tone settings associated with the scene. The user may return to 602 and set another scene as desired.

  Given a saved scene, the user can activate the scene at any time, or set a timer at 610 to activate the scene. Process 600 may continue if the saved scene was activated at 610. At 612, upon activating the saved scene, the process 600 checks the state of the player associated with the scene. Player state means that each of the players must be in a state to respond in a synchronized manner. In one embodiment, the interconnection of the players is checked to ensure that if there are such controllers in the scene, the players communicate between themselves and / or with the controllers.

Assume that all players associated with the scene are in good standing. At 614, the command is executed with parameters (eg, associated playlist and volume). In one embodiment, data including the parameters is transmitted from a member (eg, a controller) to other members in the scene to synchronize the player with actions set in the scene. The operation allows all players to play songs at the same or different volumes, or to play pre-stored files.
VI. Example of a multi-channel environment

  FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a configuration in which an audio source is played on two players 702 and 704, according to an example embodiment. These two players 702 and 704 may be located in and around a location (eg, a hall, room, or nearby room), or may be designated to play two soundtracks each. Good. For example, an audio source may have left and right sound channels or tracks (eg, stereo sound). If instead of grouping the players 702 and 704 and playing the audio sources together synchronously, each player 702 and 704 would play the same audio content at approximately the same time, the players 702 and 704 would be paired to Different sounds can be played synchronously. As a result of the pairing, the stereo sound effect can be simulated or enhanced via two players 702 and 704, for example, for one player or no player.

  In certain embodiments, each of the players 702 and 704 has a network interface, one or more speaker drivers (eg, if the player can play in stereo mode without pairing, such as shown in FIG. 2A). In some examples, two or more speakers), an amplifier, and a processor. The network interface receives audio data on the network. One or more amplifiers provide power to the speaker driver. The processor processes the audio source to be output through the speaker driver. The processor sets a first equalization of the output from the speaker driver according to the first type of pairing, and further sets a second equalization of the output from the speaker according to the second type of pairing. You may.

  In one embodiment, the two players 702 and 704 are set to output a plurality of audio channels independent of each other. For example, each of the players 702 and 704 may be configured to output audio content in a stereo independent of each other. After pairing, one playback device (eg, player 702) is configured to output a first subset of the plurality of audio channels, and the other playback device (eg, player 704) is configured to output a plurality of audio channels. It is set to output a second subset of the channels. The first and second subsets are different from each other. In this example, after pairing players 702 and 704, player 702 can play the right channel and player 704 can play the left channel. In another example, player 702 can play the center channel in addition to the right channel (eg, television or theater mode), and player 704 can play the center channel in addition to the left channel. In a further later example, the first and second subsets differ in that player 702 plays channel right + center and player 704 plays channel left + center. In yet another embodiment, after pairing, player 702 plays all channels except for certain bus frequencies, which may be played through player 704 by using player 704 as a subwoofer. be able to.

  In another embodiment, a collection of three or more playback devices (eg, player 702, 704 and one or more another player) outputs independent audio channels of another playback device in the collection. Each is set. After pairing, each of the playback devices is typically set to output a different audio channel from the collection. This embodiment is configured such that a particular playback device of the plurality of playback devices is output in two channels or stereo mode at a time (eg, when playing a song), and after pairing, Especially when setting to output on the right channel, front center channel, front left channel, rear right channel, rear left channel, etc. (for example, when watching a movie or TV), especially in TV or cinema settings Useful.

  In another embodiment, one of the paired playback devices (eg, player 702 or player 704) processes the data of the audio item, eg, substantially divides the data into channels, each of which is a single channel. Represents a soundtrack and is played on one of the playback devices, and then creates or enhances a multi-channel listening environment. In another embodiment, both playback devices (eg, players 702 and 704) may receive and process audio item data, and each playback device outputs only the audio content specified for the respective player. May be. For example, player 702 may play only the left channel, but receive both left and right channel audio, while player 704 plays only the right channel, but has left and right channel audio. May be received.

  In another embodiment, two or more playback devices (eg, player 702 or 704) are grouped into a single or integrated playback device, and the integrated playback device (eg, integrated player 702 + 704) , May be paired with one or more playback devices. For example, two playback devices may be grouped into a first integrated playback device, and two other playback devices may be grouped into a second integrated playback device. Next, the first and second integrated playback devices may be paired to create or enhance a multi-channel listening environment.

  In certain embodiments, a playback device (either player 702 or 704) that is configured to output an audio channel is paired with one or more other playback devices, where the playback device has previously been configured. Is set to output an audio channel different from. For example, the playback device may be set to output the right channel in stereo mode, even after pairing with one or more other playback devices, and output the rear, right channel in theater mode. May be set. A playback device may be paired with one or more other playback devices.

  In certain embodiments, a playback device (eg, either player 702 or 704) configured to output multiple audio channels is paired with one or more other playback devices so that the playback device is It is configured to output a subset of a plurality of audio channels associated with one or more other playback devices. For example, the playback device may be set to output in two channels or stereo mode, but such that one or more other playback devices after pairing output the right or left channel. It may be set. A playback device may be paired with one or more other playback devices.

  According to certain embodiments, the operation of pairing two or more playback devices is based on a command from the user via the control interface (eg, a manual command) or on an event (eg, an automatic command). Triggered in response. For example, using a controller, a user can create a pairing with two or more playback devices, or unpair with two or more playback devices. In another example, pairing is triggered by the audio content itself, a signal received from the source device, or some other predetermined event, e.g., pairing when an event is detected by the controller or playback device. Rings may occur. Further, another device may be programmed to detect the event and provide a pairing signal to the controller and / or playback device.

  In addition, from a no pairing (unpaired or unpaired) setting to a pairing setting, or from one type of pairing (eg, pairing used in stereo or theater mode types) to a different type of pairing It is understood that transitioning to pairing (eg, another pairing used in a stereo or theater mode type) is all the different types of "pairing" that can occur with certain embodiments. Is done. Further, releasing the pairing with a plurality of playback devices may be, for example, returning from pairing to no pairing, or returning from the first type of pairing to the previous type of pairing.

  In a first example, a first type of pairing may include "no pairing" with another playback device, and a second type of pairing may include one or more other playback devices. May be included. In a second example, the first type of pairing may include pairing with a second playback device, and the second type of pairing includes pairing with multiple playback devices. You may go out. In a third example, a first type of pairing may include reproducing a two channel sound via a speaker driver, and a second type of pairing may include reproducing the two channel sound via a speaker driver. Providing that only one of the sounds is reproduced. In a fourth example, a first type of pairing may comprise reproducing a first audio channel via a speaker driver, and a second type of pairing may comprise reproducing the first audio channel via a speaker driver. Reproducing two audio channels may be included. In a fifth example, a first type of pairing may include reproducing audio content via a speaker driver in a stereo mode, and a second type of pairing may include reproducing a speaker driver in a theater mode. And reproducing the audio content. In a sixth example, in the case of integrated mode, the first type of pairing may include reproducing audio content via a speaker driver, and the second type of pairing may include reproducing the speaker driver. Reproducing the audio content via a. It is understood that various changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments with the achievement of some or all of the advantages of the techniques described herein.

  According to a particular embodiment, the settings of the playback device include changing the equalization of the playback device by changing the equalization of one or more particular speaker drivers, synchronizing with the paired device. Including any of the optimizations. Changing the equalization of the playback device includes turning on or off (or effectively muting) one or more specific speaker drivers, changing the channel output of one or more speaker drivers, It may include any one of changing the frequency response of the specific speaker driver, changing the amplifier gain of any specific speaker driver, and changing the amplifier gain of the reproduction device as a whole.

  In certain embodiments, changing the equalization of the playback device (eg, changing the equalization of one or more speaker drivers of the playback device) can affect the frequency dependent parameters. Embodiments may include adjusting the intensity of the frequencies in the audio data, adjusting the phase, and adjusting the time delay. In addition, certain equalizations may include a first equalizer, such as one that attenuates high, medium, or low frequencies, while allowing other frequencies to pass unfiltered (or substantially unfiltered). Can be used. The filters may be of different types or in different orders (eg, primary filters, secondary filters, tertiary filters, quartic filters, etc.). For example, the first equalization of the playback device may include using a first type of pass filter that changes the output based on the first type of pairing, and the second equalization of the playback device includes: This may include using a second type of pass filter that changes the output based on the second type of pairing. In this example, the first and second types of pass filters have one or different properties and / or behaviors, altering the device's equalization and sound behavior.

  For example purposes, if two S5 devices are paired to create a stereo pair, for example, one S5 device may be set as “left” and the other S5 device is set as “right” You may. In one embodiment, the user may determine which is left or right. In this setting, for example, the left and right audio data may be sent to both S5 devices, but the left audio data of the track is played from the S5 device set as left, and the right audio data of the track is , From the S5 device set as right. In addition, the equalization of each S5 device is modified to reduce or eliminate certain structural or destructive interference. For example, one tweeter of each S5 device may be switched off or nearly muted. In certain embodiments, the crossover frequency for each driver may be further changed from a previous setting, such that more than one driver does not necessarily output the exact same audio data, and the other Target and / or destructive interference may occur. In certain embodiments, the amplifier gain adjusts a particular speaker driver and / or playback device as a whole.

  In operation, according to certain embodiments, a controller 706 (eg, controller 142 of FIG. 1 or 240 or a portable device of FIG. 2B) is used to initiate operation. Through the user interface, the controller 706 causes the player 702 to read the audio source if the audio source is on a network 708 (eg, the Internet or a local area network). Similarly, controller 706 may also cause a designated device (eg, another network device) to establish a communication session with player 702 to transmit the requested audio source. In some cases, one or both of players 702 and 704 can access data indicative of an audio source.

  In certain embodiments, a module of player 702 is activated and processes data. According to one embodiment, the soundtrack is divided into right and left soundtracks. One soundtrack is held locally on one player, and the other soundtrack is pushed or uploaded to other devices (eg, via an ad hoc network). If the right and left soundtracks are played simultaneously or almost simultaneously, a stereo sound effect is obtained.

  In another embodiment, some tracks are split, for example, into television or theater mode. For example, a track may be divided into a center channel, a right front channel, a left front channel, a left front channel, a right rear channel, a left rear channel, and the like. Thus, one or more soundtracks may be kept locally on one player, while other soundtracks are pushed or uploaded to other devices.

  In yet another embodiment, one player may process data while the remaining data is being sent to another player, and may maintain one or more tracks locally. The receiving player may then process the data, keep one or more tracks locally, and send some remaining data to another player. This process, or the like, may continue until all tracks are held locally by the corresponding player's device.

  In yet another embodiment, each player may receive and process the data and play only the channel or channels designated for the player.

  In certain embodiments, it is important to maintain good synchronization, especially when pairing two or more independently clocked playback devices so that the multi-channel audio content is initially intended. Will be played. According to an embodiment, a message may be initiated from one device to another activated device and send back an acknowledgment. Upon receiving the acknowledgment, the time delay of data transmitted from one device to another can be measured. Time delays are considered when synchronizing two players to play two separate soundtracks. In certain embodiments, sending a packet (e.g., a packet according to the SNTP protocol) to a playback device and receiving a response, e.g., if it takes 15 ms or more, the timing contained in the packet, such as clock information. Information is destroyed. If the sending and receiving of the packet is within 15 milliseconds, then the information from the packet is then used to adjust the playback, as needed.

  For further details of synchronizing the operation of two or more independently clocked players, see “Operations Between Multiple Independent Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices,” filed Apr. 1, 2004 by the same application. And US Patent Application No. 10 / 816,217, incorporated herein by reference.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a configuration of pairing between a plurality of players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 in an environment like a theater according to the embodiment. Player 802 may operate as a front left channel, player 804 may operate as a center channel, player 806 may operate as a front right channel, and player 808 may operate as a subwoofer. Alternatively, the player 810 may operate as a rear and right channel, and the player 812 may operate as a rear and right channel. In this example, players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 are wirelessly connected over network 815 to receive and transmit data over the wireless network, at a wall or through another power source (eg, a battery). You can get power from the power outlet. Players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 may be wired if so configured in another embodiment. Controller 814 may be a network-enabled device, including, by way of example, a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or television.

  In one embodiment, a designated player, such as player 804, receives multi-channel audio content from source 816. Source 816 may include audio and / or video content downloaded or streamed from the Internet, DVD or Blu-ray Disc, or from some other source of audio and / or video content. The player 804 splits into multi-channel audio and sends each audio channel to its playback owner. For example, if a particular audio channel is designated as a front or rear speaker, the content is wirelessly directed from player 804 to player 802, and the like. Players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 play audio content synchronously to create a multi-channel listening environment. Further, if the source 816 provides video content along with the audio content, the audio content is preferably played in synchronization with the video content.

  In another embodiment, each of players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 may be split into one or more unique channels for playback. That is, all audio content, or a portion thereof, is transmitted to the respective player (eg, from source 816 or another playback device), and the player itself obtains its own data for playback.

  Further, players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 may be reconfigured as described above and operate with many different settings. For example, players 802 and 806 may be paired and operate in stereo mode, while other players are kept in sleep mode or switched off (player 808 is configured as desired If so, it may be left at any particular setting because it is operating as a subwoofer). In another example, players 802 and 810 are integrated and output left channel audio, while players 806 and 812 are integrated and output right channel audio. In yet another example, some of the players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 are integrated into a single player, such as in an adjacent room, and paired with another playback device. In a further example, players 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 are grouped and unpaired if the audio content is music (eg, for movie content). These are just a few examples of settings. Many other settings are possible using the teachings described herein.

  FIG. 9 shows a flowchart or process 900 for grouping a plurality of audio products, wherein synchronized soundtracks are played to simulate a multi-channel listening environment. Process 900 is shown according to a particular embodiment and may be implemented in modules located in memory 282 of FIG. 2D. To enable description of the process 900, a listening environment for stereo sound on the left and right channels is described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the description may be applied to other forms of the multi-channel listening environment as well, such as a 3, 5, 7-channel environment.

  Generally, there are multiple players controlled by one or more controllers, and these players are located at various locations. For example, there are five players in a house, three of which are each located in three rooms, while two players are located in a larger room. Thus, these two players would be candidates to be paired to simulate a stereo listening environment, instead of simply playing audio synchronized from both in a grouped manner. In another example, there are four players in a large space and adjacent space, two pairs of players can be paired to simulate a stereo listening environment, while two players of one unified pair are grouped together. Grouping to play one (left) soundtrack, and the other two of the integrated pair can be grouped to play one (right) soundtrack.

  In either case, it is determined whether two groups of players or two players are paired at 902. If the players are not paired, the process 900 is not activated. Assume that two players from the group of players controlled by the controller are selected 902 and paired. Process 900 proceeds.

  At 904, the user may determine which player plays which soundtrack. Depending on the position of the user or listener with respect to the selected player, player or unit A is selected to play the left soundtrack, and another player or unit B is selected to play the right soundtrack. In another embodiment, the player itself (or the controller) is configured to determine which units are configured to play the right channel without input from the user, and which units are configured to play the left channel. May be automatically determined.

  According to one embodiment, the time delay for transmitting data between the two units A and B is measured at 906. This time delay may allow for synchronization of the sound between the two units, one of which receives the processed soundtrack from the other. The user may continue to operate the controller and select a title (eg, an item from an audio source or playlist) at 910 to play on the two units.

  Once the title is determined at 912, the title data is accessed. Depending on where the data is located, the controller may be set up so that one of the two units obtains or streams the data. In one embodiment, the controller or unit A initiates a request to a remote network device to provide or store data. Assuming that the authentication procedure is completed successfully, the remote device starts uploading data to unit A. Similarly, if the data is stored locally on unit A, the data can be accessed locally without making the same request from the network. As data is received or accessed at unit A, the processing module is activated at unit A, processes the data, and at 914, substantially separates the data into two streams of soundtracks. In another embodiment, each unit receives and processes the data and substantially divides the data into streams played by the respective units.

  At 916, one of the streams is uploaded from unit A to unit B via a local network (eg, an ad hoc network formed by all players controlled by the controller). As the stream is delivered, the two units are each set to play the stream and reproduce the sound of a single soundtrack at 918, respectively. At the same time, during synchronization, the two units create a stereo sound listening environment.

  It should be noted that if significant, the delay time may be incorporated into unit A, delaying the consumption of the stream until the delay time and synchronizing with unit B. Alternatively, the unselected player may be used to process the title's streaming data, set to provide two streams to a pair of players, and otherwise experienced by unit B. Uniform delay time.

  10A-10F show example screenshots of a controller for creating a stereo pair according to certain embodiments. Screenshots are from a computing device (eg, tablet computer, laptop, or desktop) used as a controller. One of skill in the art will understand that FIGS. 10A-10F may be readily modified for use with portable devices with networking capabilities, such as, for example, an iPhone or iTouch or other smartphone or other network enabled device. it can. Further, the controller may be present as part of the player or connected directly / indirectly to the player, and thus such screenshots may be changed accordingly-such The controller has no network function and the player has a network connection.

  FIG. 10A shows a graphic interface 1000 that may be displayed on the controller if the user desires to create a stereo pair with two players in the stream. It is understood that the system may include more than one player. If a stereo pair is desired, then any two players in the system (one or both mergeable players) may be paired, as described with respect to the examples of FIGS. 10A-10F. However, if pairing of two or more players is desired, for example, to create an environment capable of playing two or more channel audio data, the graphics interface 1000 may provide another option or multiple options. May be included. For example, the options may include "Create Movie Surround Sound Pairing", "Create Music Surround Sound Pairing", or "Create Dolby Pro Logic Pairing". Any written language may be used to appropriately indicate to the user the type of pairing that can be created. When selecting an option, a configuration wizard on the controller helps the user configure the system properly, and multi-channel discrete audio may be effectively implemented by the system.

  Returning to FIG. 10A, the interface 1000 allows a user to initiate a stereo pair with a zone player named “ZPS5-Black”. In certain embodiments, the system recognizes that ZPS5-Black is part of a particular zone (eg, kitchen, family room, bedroom, etc.). The system may allow the user to pair the ZPS5-Black with other players only in the same zone, or the system may allow the user to pair the ZPS5-Black with other players in different zones (eg, adjacent zones, etc.). May be paired. Pairing players in different zones can be particularly useful if the open space is divided into two or more zones (eg, the open space includes a kitchen and a family room).

  In addition, the system may be programmed so that pairing of players from different zones creates another zone, reflecting players in pairing mode (e.g., a single kitchen-family room for pair operation periods) Zones may be created from kitchen and family zones during unpaired periods of operation). In such an embodiment, the user may be able to switch between zones or dynamically create new zones.

  In certain embodiments, if other similar players can be paired, the screenshot of FIG. 10B can be displayed. If the user wants to continue creating the pair, the user can select "OK". Otherwise, the user can select "Cancel". In another embodiment, different players (eg, non-S5 players) are paired together. That is, if the players are designed to be paired, different types of players will be paired. To accommodate differences in player types, the equalization of one or more players may be adjusted accordingly to compensate for other players, such as the number and size of speaker drivers used for one player. Is also good. In yet another embodiment, a list of players in the system (not shown) may be displayed, and the user selects two or more players to create a stereo pair. The list of players may be automatically determined by the system, for example, based on the player's particular location in the house, room, or settings with other players in the room.

  Returning to FIG. 10C, in this example, the user selects a zone player named “ZPS5-White” that is paired with “ZPS5-Black” to create a stereo pair. If so, the user can select "OK" to proceed with the pairing. If not, the user can select "Cancel". In certain embodiments, ZPS5-White may be in the same zone as ZPS5-Black. In other embodiments, ZPS5-White may be in a different zone than ZPS5-Black.

  Upon selecting “OK” in FIG. 10C, a screen shot as in FIG. 10D is displayed to the user, indicating by the user that the mute button (or some other designation) on the stereo pair “LEFT” player Button). Further, the lights of the players may be flashing to further indicate that each of the players has a potential left channel pairing. Upon selection of the left player, if so desired, FIG. 10E may be displayed to inform the user that the pair has been created with the name of the pair. To be responsive, the system plays left channel audio from the player specified by the user and automatically plays right channel audio from other players. FIG. 10F provides an example of a screenshot that allows the user to split the stereo pair if so desired.

  In another embodiment, creating a stereo pair may be an option for a particular zone or number of zones (eg, zone homes). For example, there may be an option to create a "stereo pair", for example, when selecting, the setup wizard will prompt the user on any speaker that the user wants to be the left speaker in a zone, part of a zone, or all zones. May be activated by requesting to press a mute button (or some other designated button) that flashes with. In one embodiment, the blinking occurs on all the same speaker types. In another embodiment, the blinking occurs on all speaker types that can be paired. After selecting the left speaker, the wizard screen asks the user to do the same for the right speaker. Preferably, only those speakers that can be paired as the right speaker are flashing to properly narrow the user's options.

  Further, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a screen display is provided to show the user all players in the system and how they are grouped and named. If FIG. 3A is changed after the stereo pair is completed, the nickname of the stereo pair on display 1040 is highlighted and further displayed in FIG. 3A.

  A similar graphic interface may be used to create a pair in an environment with more than one channel. For example, in a home theater environment, the system may require two or more separate May be listed. Subwoofers can also be added to the list and incorporated into multi-channel pairing by the user.

As an example, similar to the description of the various embodiments above in connection with creating a stereo pair, the system may cause the indicator lights to flash on all relevant players, and the setup wizard will Until the right pair, the user may be asked to select "front left", then "front right", then "front center", then "rear left", then "rear right", etc. Good. Preferably, only those speakers that can be paired as the next speaker will blink, appropriately narrowing the user's choices.
VII. Conclusion

  The components, elements, and / or functions of the systems described above may be implemented alone or in various forms, for example, in hardware, firmware, and / or as a set of software instructions. Certain embodiments are instructions resident on a computer-readable medium, such as a memory, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, and / or EPROM, for execution on a processing device, such as a controller and / or playback device. May be provided as a set.

  The various inventions have been described in sufficient detail with some specificity. The embodiments of the present disclosure have been made for purposes of illustration only, and many changes in component modifications and combinations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Although the embodiments described herein may appear to include some limitations with respect to presentation of information units, embodiments in form or arrangement are far more than such embodiments. And can be understood by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the embodiments described above.

  For example, the following shows just a few of the many device, method, and system combinations based on the description provided above. It is understood that these are provided for non-limiting illustrative purposes and that more combinations may be described and claimed herein.

1. A device for providing audio in a multi-channel listening environment,
A network interface that enables communication with a network, wherein the network interface receives audio data on the network;
Multiple speaker drivers,
An amplifier for supplying power to the plurality of speaker drivers; and processing the audio data output through the plurality of speaker drivers, and outputting the outputs from the plurality of speaker drivers according to a first type of pairing. A processor that sets a first equalization and further sets a second equalization of the outputs from the plurality of speaker drivers in response to a second pairing;
An apparatus comprising:

2. The first equalization includes using a first type of pass filter that changes the output based on the first type of pairing, and the second equalization includes The apparatus of claim 1, comprising the use of a second type of pass filter that changes the output based on the first type of pass filter and the second type of pass filter.

3. The apparatus comprises a playback device, wherein the first type of pairing does not include pairing with another playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes one or more other playback devices. A device comprising a pairing of

4. The apparatus comprises a playback device, wherein the first type of pairing includes pairing with a second playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes pairing with a plurality of playback devices. One device, including:

5. The first type of pairing includes the reproduction of a two-channel sound via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes the reproduction of the two channels via the plurality of speaker drivers. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising the reproduction of one or less channels of the channel sound.

6. The first type of pairing includes a reproduction of a first audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes a second audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first audio channel and the second audio channel are different from each other.

7. The first type of pairing includes the reproduction of audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers in a stereo mode, and the second type of pairing includes via the plurality of speaker drivers in a theater mode. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising the reproduction of the audio content.

8. In the case of the integrated mode, the first type of pairing includes reproduction of audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes reproduction of audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a reproduction of the audio content.

9. The processor is configured to divide the audio data into a plurality of audio channels, at least one of the divided audio channels is output from the plurality of speaker drivers, and at least one of the divided other audio channels is: The apparatus of claim 1, transmitted by the network device on the network.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a playback device, and wherein the network interface receives a signal from a controller over a network and pairs one or more playback devices.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a playback device, and the network interface receives a signal from a controller over a network and sets the playback device to an integrated mode.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a playback device, and includes a button for selecting a channel of the playback device when the playback device is selected.

13. The one device, wherein the network is a wireless network.

14． A method for providing audio in a multi-channel listening environment,
Receiving audio data on the network,
Processing the audio data output through a plurality of speaker drivers; and setting a first equalization of the outputs from the plurality of speaker drivers in response to a first type of pairing; Setting a second equalization of the output from the plurality of speaker drivers according to a type of pairing;
Including, methods.

15. The first equalization includes using a first pass filter that modifies content based on the first type of pairing, and the second equalization includes using a first pass filter based on the second pairing. 14. The method of claim 14, comprising using a second pass filter that modifies the content, wherein the first pass filter and the second pass filter are different from each other.

16. 14. The method of claim 14, wherein the first type of pairing does not include pairing with another playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes pairing with one or more other playback devices. .

17． 14. The method of claim 14, wherein the first type of pairing includes pairing with a second playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes pairing with multiple playback devices.

18. The first type of pairing includes reproducing two channel sounds via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes reproducing the two channel sounds via the plurality of speaker drivers. 14. The method of claim 14, comprising reproducing less than one channel of the channel sound.

19. The first type of pairing includes reproducing a first audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes reproducing a second audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers. 14. The method of claim 14, comprising reproducing the audio channels of the first and second audio channels, wherein the first and second audio channels are different.

20. In the case of the integrated mode, the first type of pairing reproduces audio content through the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing reproduces the audio content through the plurality of speaker drivers. 14. The method of claim 14, comprising reproducing

21. The processor is configured to divide the audio data into a plurality of audio channels, at least one of the divided audio channels is output from the plurality of speaker drivers, and at least one of the divided other audio channels is: 14. The method of 14 transmitted by the network device on the network.

22. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting a signal over the network to a controller that selects a channel of the audio data output from the plurality of speaker drivers.

23. A system for providing multi-channel audio playback,
A collection of at least three playback devices, each configured to output a plurality of audio channels independently, each playback device including a network interface, a speaker driver, and an amplifier; and at least one of the collections of playback devices. In one, a processor for selecting and pairing the at least three playback devices, each of the at least three playback devices outputting a different audio channel from another of the at least three playback devices after pairing Set to
A system comprising:

24. 23. The system of 23, wherein the at least three playback devices output their respective audio channels synchronously.

25. The processor is housed in one of the at least three playback devices, the processor processes incoming audio data, divides the audio data into audio channels, and provides the audio data to others of the at least three playback devices. 23. The system of claim 23, wherein the output is synchronized with their respective audio channels.

26. The processor processes the incoming data and keeps one or more audio tracks corresponding to one or more audio channels locally until all incoming audio tracks are kept locally by the playback device. 25, transmitting the remaining audio tracks to at least three playback devices and another.

27. 23. The system of 23, wherein the selective pairing is triggered based on a command via a controller interface.

28. 23. The system of 23, wherein the selective pairing is triggered in response to an event.

29. 28. The system of 28, wherein the event comprises at least one of a change in audio content associated with the plurality of audio channels, a time, and a type of audio content.

30. 23. The system of 23, wherein the processor changes an equalization of the at least three playback devices by changing an equalization of one or more specific speaker drivers and adjusting synchronization with the paired playback devices.

31. The equalization comprises a first type of equalization using a first type of pass filter that modifies a first one of the at least three playback devices based on a first type of pairing, a second type of pairing A second equalization using a second type of pass filter that changes a second of the outputs of the at least three playback devices based on a ring, the at least three playback devices based on a third type of pairing 30. a third equalization using a third type of pass filter that changes the output of the third one.

32. The first type of pairing comprises a reproduction of a first audio channel, the second type of pairing comprises a reproduction of a second audio channel, and the third type of pairing comprises: 31. The system of claim 31, including a reproduction of a third audio channel from the plurality of audio channels.

33. 30. The system of 30 wherein the equalization is based on at least one of an unpaired mode, a paired mode, an integrated mode, and a group mode for selective pairing of the at least three playback devices.

34. 23. The method of claim 23, wherein at least two of the collection of at least three playback devices are grouped into an integrated playback device, wherein the integrated playback device can be paired with one or more other playback devices. system.

35. A method for providing multi-channel audio playback, comprising:
Receiving audio data including a plurality of audio channels in a collection of at least three playback devices;
Selecting and pairing using a processor housed in at least one of said collections of playback devices, wherein said at least three playback devices are each one of said at least three playback devices. Set to output a different audio channel from the rest of the device,
Including, methods.

36. 35. The method of 35, wherein the at least three playback devices synchronously output their respective audio channels.

37. The processor is housed in one of at least three playback devices, the processor processes incoming audio data, divides the audio data into audio channels, and is provided to another one of the at least three playback devices. 35. The method of 35, outputting in synchronism with their respective audio channels.

38. The processor processes incoming audio data and locally maintains one or more audio tracks corresponding to one or more audio channels, and all incoming audio data is locally maintained by a playback device. 37. The method of 37, wherein the remaining audio tracks are transmitted to others of the at least three playback devices until:

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the selective pairing is triggered based on a command via a controller interface.

40. 35. The method of 35, wherein the selective pairing is triggered in response to an event.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the event comprises a change in audio content.

42.Changing the equalization of one or more specific speaker drivers and changing the equalization of the at least three playback devices by adjusting synchronization with the paired playback devices. 35. The method of 35, further comprising:

43. The equalization comprises a first type of equalization using a first type of pass filter that modifies a first one of the at least three playback devices based on a first type of pairing, a second type of pairing A second equalization using a second type of pass filter that changes a second of the outputs of the at least three playback devices based on a ring, the at least three playback devices based on a third type of pairing 42. The method of claim 42, further comprising a third equalization using a third type of pass filter that changes the output of the third one.

44. The first type of pairing includes reproducing a first audio channel; the second type of pairing includes reproducing a second audio channel; and the third type of pairing. 43. The method of claim 43, wherein the pairing comprises reproducing a third audio channel from the plurality of audio channels.

45. 42. The method of claim 42, wherein the equalization is based on at least one of an unpaired mode, a paired mode, an integrated mode, and a group mode for selective pairing of the at least three playback devices.

46. Grouping at least two of the collections of at least three playback devices into an integrated playback device, wherein the integrated playback device can be paired with one or more other playback devices. , 35 methods.

47. An apparatus for providing audio in a multi-channel listening environment,
A network interface that enables communication with a network, wherein the network interface receives audio data on the network;
Multiple speaker drivers,
An amplifier for supplying power to the plurality of speaker drivers; and a processor for processing the audio data output via the plurality of speaker drivers, wherein the processor is configured to connect the device to the at least second device. A processor that applies a first equalization of the output from the plurality of speaker drivers in response to a first pairing and ignores portions of the audio data that do not correspond to the first equalization.
An apparatus comprising:

48. The first equalization uses a first filter to select a first number of one or more audio channels from the audio data output through the device, and to select the first number of the remaining audio channels from the audio data. 47. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the processing by the second apparatus is processed independently, ignoring one or more channels of.

49. 47. The device of 47, wherein the processor selects and pairs the device and the second device in response to a trigger.

50. 49. The apparatus of 49, wherein the trigger comprises at least one of a control interface command, a change in audio content, a time, and a type of audio content.

51. An apparatus for providing audio in a multi-channel listening environment,
A network interface that enables communication with a network, wherein the network interface receives audio data on the network;
Multiple speaker drivers,
An amplifier for supplying power to the plurality of speaker drivers; and processing the audio data output via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the plurality of speaker drivers according to a first pairing based on an external trigger. A processor for setting a first equalization of the output from the multiplexor, and further setting a second equalization of the output from the plurality of speaker drivers in response to a second pairing;
An apparatus comprising:

52. 51. The device of 51, wherein the trigger comprises at least one of a control interface command, a change in audio content, a time, and a type of audio content.

53. An apparatus comprising a plurality of playback devices grouped into an integrated playback device.

54. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein at least one equalization of the plurality of playback devices is changed as a result of the integration.

55. 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the integrated playback device is further paired with one or more playback devices.

56. 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the plurality of playback devices are wirelessly grouped together.

57. A network interface for enabling communication with a network, wherein the network interface receives audio data on the network, at least one speaker driver, an amplifier for powering the at least one speaker driver; A processor, wherein a single channel of the two or more channel audio data processes the two or more channel audio data and is output via the at least one speaker driver; The apparatus wherein the remaining channels of data are transmitted over the network interface output through a plurality of playback devices.

58. A method comprising wirelessly pairing three or more playback devices.

Claims (29)

A device for providing audio in a multi-channel listening environment,
A network interface that enables communication with a network, wherein the network interface receives audio data on the network;
Multiple speaker drivers,
An amplifier for supplying power to the plurality of speaker drivers; and processing the audio data output through the plurality of speaker drivers, and outputting the outputs from the plurality of speaker drivers according to a first type of pairing. A processor for setting a first equalization and further setting a second equalization of the outputs from the plurality of speaker drivers in response to a second pairing;
An apparatus comprising:   The first equalization includes the use of a first type of pass filter that changes the output based on the first type of pairing, and the second equalization includes applying a second type of pairing to the second type of pairing. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising using a second type of pass filter that changes output based on the first type of pass filter and the second type of pass filter.   The apparatus comprises a playback device, wherein the first type of pairing does not include pairing with another playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes one or more other playback devices. The device of claim 1, comprising:   The apparatus comprises a playback device, wherein the first type of pairing includes pairing with a second playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes pairing with a plurality of playback devices. The device of claim 1, comprising:   The first type of pairing includes the reproduction of a two-channel sound via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes the reproduction of the two channels via the plurality of speaker drivers. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a reproduction of one or less channels of the channel sound.   The first type of pairing includes a reproduction of a first audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes a second audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first audio channel and the second audio channel are different from each other.   The first type of pairing includes the reproduction of audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers in a stereo mode, and the second type of pairing includes via the plurality of speaker drivers in a theater mode. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a reproduction of the audio content.   In the case of the integrated mode, the first type of pairing includes reproduction of audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes reproduction of audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a reproduction of the audio content.   The processor is configured to divide the audio data into a plurality of audio channels, at least one of the divided audio channels is output from the plurality of speaker drivers, and at least one of the divided other audio channels is: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is transmitted by the network device on the network.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a playback device, and wherein the network interface receives a signal from a controller over a network and pairs with one or more playback devices.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a playback device, and wherein the network interface receives a signal from a controller over a network and sets the playback device to an integrated mode.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a playback device, and comprises a button for selecting a channel of the playback device when the playback device is selected.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless network.   The processor of claim 1, wherein the processor selects and pairs the device and a second device in response to a trigger including at least one of a control interface command, a change in audio content, a time, and a type of audio content. The described device.   The processor of claim 1, wherein the processor processes incoming audio data, divides the audio data into audio channels, provides the audio data to one or more other playback devices, and synchronously outputs the plurality of audio channels. An apparatus according to claim 1.   The processor processes incoming audio data, locally maintains one or more audio tracks corresponding to one or more audio channels, and all incoming audio data is locally maintained by a playback device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remaining audio tracks are transmitted to at least one other playback device until the remaining audio tracks are transmitted.   The processor processes incoming audio data, maintains one or more audio tracks corresponding to one or more audio channels, and stores at least one or more other audio tracks processed by the second device. The apparatus of claim 1 ignoring. A method for providing audio in a multi-channel listening environment,
Receiving audio data on the network,
Processing the audio data output through a plurality of speaker drivers; and setting a first equalization of the outputs from the plurality of speaker drivers in response to a first type of pairing; Setting a second equalization of the output from the plurality of speaker drivers according to a type of pairing;
Including, methods. The first equalization includes using a first pass filter that modifies the content based on the first type of pairing, and the second equalization includes using a first pass filter based on the second pairing. 20. The method of claim 18, comprising using a second pass filter to cause the content to be modified by the first pass filter and the second pass filter.
  20. The first type of pairing does not include pairing with another playback device, and the second type of pairing includes pairing with one or more other playback devices. The method described in.   19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first type of pairing includes pairing with a second playback device, and wherein the second type of pairing includes pairing with multiple playback devices. .   The first type of pairing includes reproducing two channel sounds via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes reproducing the two channel sounds via the plurality of speaker drivers. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising reproducing less than one channel of the channel sound.   The first type of pairing includes reproducing a first audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing includes reproducing a second audio channel via the plurality of speaker drivers. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising reproducing the audio channels of the first and second audio channels, wherein the first audio channel and the second audio channel are different.   In the case of the integrated mode, the first type of pairing reproduces the audio content through the plurality of speaker drivers, and the second type of pairing reproduces the audio content through the plurality of speaker drivers. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising reproducing the content.   The processing step and the setting step include dividing the audio data into a plurality of audio channels, wherein at least one of the divided audio channels is output from the plurality of speaker drivers and at least one of the divided audio channels is output. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein two different audio channels are transmitted by the network interface on the network.   19. The method of claim 18, further comprising transmitting a signal over the network to a controller that selects a channel of the audio data output from the plurality of speaker drivers.   The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step selects and pairs the device and the second device in response to a trigger including at least one of a control interface command, a change in audio content, a time, and a type of audio content. 19. The method according to 18.   Said processing step further comprises processing incoming data, wherein one or more audio tracks corresponding to one or more audio channels are kept locally, and all incoming audio tracks are processed by the playback device. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the remaining audio tracks are transmitted to at least one other playback device until held locally.   The processing comprises processing incoming audio data, maintaining one or more audio tracks corresponding to one or more audio channels, and receiving at least one or more other audio signals processed by a second device. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein tracks are ignored.

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