阅读说明：本技术 计算设备、计算机可读介质以及由计算设备执行的方法 (Computing device, computer readable medium, and method executed by computing device ) 是由 蒂莫西·希恩 于 2015-09-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开一种计算设备、存储有指令的计算机可读介质以及由计算设备执行的方法。该计算设备包括一个或更多个处理器和存储有指令的计算机可读介质,指令在由处理器执行时使计算设备：维护代表性声学特性的数据库；从特定网络设备接收指示特定网络设备的一个或更多个特性、回放设备的标识以及指示在回放设备播放校准音时由特定网络设备检测到的音频的数据的数据；基于特定网络设备的至少一个特性,在代表性声学特性的数据库中识别与一个或更多个特性对应的代表性声学特性；基于所识别的代表性声学特性、回放设备的标识和指示所检测到的音频的数据,确定调节回放设备的音频输出的音频处理算法；以及使回放设备的音频输出通过音频处理算法被调节。(A computing device, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, and a method performed by the computing device are disclosed. The computing device includes one or more processors and a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the computing device to: maintaining a database of representative acoustic characteristics; receiving, from a particular network device, data indicative of one or more characteristics of the particular network device, an identification of a playback device, and data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device while the playback device is playing a calibration tone; identifying, in a database of representative acoustic characteristics, representative acoustic characteristics corresponding to the one or more characteristics based on at least one characteristic of the particular network device; determining an audio processing algorithm that adjusts an audio output of the playback device based on the identified representative acoustic characteristic, the identification of the playback device, and the data indicative of the detected audio; and causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm.)

1. A computing device, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

maintaining a database of representative acoustic characteristics, wherein each representative acoustic characteristic corresponds to a respective plurality of network devices, and wherein each network device of each respective plurality of network devices shares one or more characteristics;

receiving data from a particular network device indicating: (i) one or more characteristics of the particular network device; (ii) an identification of the playback device; and (iii) data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device if the playback device is playing calibration tones;

identifying, in the database of representative acoustic characteristics, representative acoustic characteristics corresponding to one or more characteristics of the particular network device based on at least one of the one or more characteristics;

based on (i) the identified representative acoustic characteristics; (ii) an identification of the playback device; and (iii) data indicative of the detected audio, determining an audio processing algorithm to adjust an audio output of the playback device; and

causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein to maintain a database of the representative acoustic characteristics comprises to:

receiving, from a plurality of network devices sharing one or more common characteristics, respective data indicative of microphone acoustic characteristics of each network device;

determining a representative acoustic characteristic based on the received data indicative of the microphone acoustic characteristics of the each network device; and

storing data indicative of the representative acoustic characteristics in a database of the representative acoustic characteristics in association with the one or more common characteristics.

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein to cause audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises to:

sending data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the particular network device.

4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein to cause audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises to:

transmitting data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the playback device.

5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein to determine the audio processing algorithm comprises to:

determining a frequency response based on data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device with the playback device playing the calibration tone; and

determining the audio processing algorithm based on the determined frequency response.

6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the functions further comprise:

transmitting the calibration tone to the playback device prior to receiving data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device with the playback device playing the calibration tone.

7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein a network device of each plurality of network devices includes a respective particular model of microphone, wherein the one or more characteristics of the particular network device include the particular model of microphone, and wherein identifying the representative acoustic characteristics corresponding to the one or more characteristics includes:

identifying a representative acoustic characteristic corresponding to a particular model of the microphone in the database of representative acoustic characteristics.

8. The computing device of claim 1, wherein to cause audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises to:

causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm to have predetermined audio characteristics indicative of a desired audio playback quality.

9. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

maintaining a database of representative acoustic characteristics, wherein each representative acoustic characteristic corresponds to a respective plurality of network devices, and wherein each network device of each respective plurality of network devices shares one or more characteristics;

receiving data from a particular network device indicating: (i) one or more characteristics of the particular network device; (ii) an identification of the playback device; and (iii) data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device if the playback device is playing calibration tones;

identifying, in the database of representative acoustic characteristics, representative acoustic characteristics corresponding to one or more characteristics of the particular network device based on at least one of the one or more characteristics;

based on (i) the identified representative acoustic characteristics; (ii) an identification of the playback device; and (iii) data indicative of the detected audio, determining an audio processing algorithm to adjust an audio output of the playback device; and

causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein maintaining the database of representative acoustic characteristics comprises:

receiving, from a plurality of network devices sharing one or more common characteristics, respective data indicative of microphone acoustic characteristics of each network device;

determining a representative acoustic characteristic based on the received data indicative of the microphone acoustic characteristics of the each network device; and

storing data indicative of the representative acoustic characteristics in a database of the representative acoustic characteristics in association with the one or more common characteristics.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises:

sending data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the particular network device.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises:

transmitting data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the playback device.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises:

determining a frequency response based on data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device with the playback device playing the calibration tone; and

determining the audio processing algorithm based on the determined frequency response.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the functions further comprise:

transmitting the calibration tone to the playback device prior to receiving data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device with the playback device playing the calibration tone.

15. A method performed by a computing device, the method comprising:

maintaining a database of representative acoustic characteristics, wherein each representative acoustic characteristic corresponds to a respective plurality of network devices, and wherein each network device of each respective plurality of network devices shares one or more characteristics;

receiving data from a particular network device indicating: (i) one or more characteristics of the particular network device; (ii) an identification of the playback device; and (iii) data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device if the playback device is playing calibration tones;

identifying, in the database of representative acoustic characteristics, representative acoustic characteristics corresponding to one or more characteristics of the particular network device based on at least one of the one or more characteristics;

based on (i) the identified representative acoustic characteristics; (ii) an identification of the playback device; and (iii) data indicative of the detected audio, determining an audio processing algorithm to adjust an audio output of the playback device; and

causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises:

sending data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the particular network device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein causing the audio output of the playback device to be adjusted by the audio processing algorithm comprises:

transmitting data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the playback device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises:

determining a frequency response based on data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device with the playback device playing the calibration tone; and

determining the audio processing algorithm based on the determined frequency response.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting the calibration tone to the playback device prior to receiving data indicative of audio detected by the particular network device with the playback device playing the calibration tone.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein a network device of each plurality of network devices includes a respective particular model of microphone, wherein the one or more characteristics of the particular network device include the particular model of microphone, and wherein identifying the representative acoustic characteristics corresponding to the one or more characteristics includes:

identifying a representative acoustic characteristic corresponding to a particular model of the microphone in the database of representative acoustic characteristics.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to consumer products, and more particularly, to methods, systems, products, features, services, and other elements related to media playback or some aspect thereof.

Background

Until 2003, where the options for accessing and listening to digital Audio with larger sound settings were limited, SONOS corporation filed one of its first patent applications entitled "Method for Synchronizing Audio Playback between multiple Networked Devices" in 2003 and began to open the market for media Playback systems in 2005. Sonos wireless HiFi systems enable people to experience music from multiple sources through one or more networked playback devices. Through a software control application installed on a smartphone, tablet or computer, a person can play his or her desired music in any room with a networked playback device. In addition, using the controller, for example, different songs may be streamed to each room with a playback device, the rooms may be grouped together for synchronized playback, or the same song may be listened to in all rooms simultaneously.

Given the growing interest in digital media, there remains a need to develop consumer accessible technologies to further enhance the listening experience.

Drawings

The features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology may be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example media playback system configuration in which certain embodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example control device;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example controller interface;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow chart of a first method for calibrating a playback device;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example playback environment within which a playback device may be calibrated;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow chart of a second method for calibrating a playback device;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example flow chart of a third method for calibrating a playback device;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example flow chart of a first method for calibrating a microphone;

fig. 10 shows an example arrangement for microphone calibration; and

fig. 11 illustrates an example flow diagram of a second method for calibrating a microphone.

The drawings are for purposes of illustrating example embodiments, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

Detailed Description

I. Overview

Calibrating one or more playback devices in a playback environment using a microphone may involve acoustic characteristics of the microphone. However, in some cases, the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device used to calibrate the one or more playback devices may not be known.

Examples discussed herein relate to calibrating a microphone of a network device based on audio signals detected by the microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device.

In one example, the functionality of the calibration may be coordinated and performed, at least in part, by the network device. In one case, the network device may be a mobile device with a built-in microphone. The network device may also be a controller device for controlling one or more playback devices.

The microphone of the network device may detect the first audio signal when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device. In one example, the location within the predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device may be one of: a position above the playback device, a position behind the playback device, a position to the side of the playback device, a position in front of the playback device, etc.

The network device may also receive data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. Both the first audio signal and the second audio signal may include a portion corresponding to a third audio signal played by one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include a network device capable of being placed within a predetermined physical range of the playback device with a microphone. The first audio signal and the second audio signal may be detected by the respective microphones simultaneously or at different times. The data indicative of the second audio signal may be received by the network device before or after a microphone of the network device detects the first audio signal.

The network device may then identify a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal, and thus apply the determined microphone calibration algorithm when performing a function associated with the playback device, such as a calibration function.

In another example, the functionality of the calibration may be coordinated and at least partially performed by a computing device, such as a server in communication with the playback device and/or the network device.

The computing device may receive, from the network device, data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone. The computing device may also receive data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. The computing device may then identify a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal. In one case, the computing device may then apply the determined microphone calibration algorithm when performing functions associated with the network device and the playback device, such as calibration functions. In one case, the computing device may also transmit data indicative of the determined microphone calibration algorithm to the network device for application by the network device in performing functions associated with the playback device.

In one case, identifying the microphone calibration algorithm may include accessing a database of microphone calibration algorithms and microphone acoustic characteristics to identify the microphone calibration algorithm based on the microphone acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device. The microphone acoustic characteristic may be determined based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal.

In another case, identifying the microphone calibration algorithm may include calculating the microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal. For example, a microphone calibration algorithm may be calculated such that the determined microphone calibration algorithm is applied by the one or more playback devices when audio content is played in the playback environment to produce a third audio signal having standardized audio characteristics. For example, if the microphone acoustic characteristics include a low sensitivity at a particular frequency, the microphone calibration algorithm may account for the low sensitivity, e.g., by amplifying audio content detected by the microphone at the particular frequency.

As described above, calibration of a microphone of a network device may be initiated when the microphone of the network device is used to perform a function, such as a calibration function associated with one or more playback devices, but the acoustic characteristics of the microphone or a microphone calibration algorithm corresponding to the microphone are not available. Thus, calibration of the microphone may be initiated by the device performing the calibration function associated with the one or more playback devices.

As also described above, the network device may be a controller device for controlling one or more playback devices. Thus, in one case, calibration of the microphone of the network device may be initiated when the controller device is set to control one or more playback devices. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, the association between the determined calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics, such as the model of the network device, may be stored as an entry in a database of microphone calibration algorithms. The microphone calibration algorithm may then be identified and applied when another network device has at least one of the one or more characteristics of the network device.

As described above, the present discussion relates to calibrating a microphone of a network device based on audio signals detected by the microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device. In one aspect, a network device is provided. The network device includes: a microphone; a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform the following functions. The functions include: when (i) the playback device is playing a first audio signal and (ii) the network device is moving from a first physical location to a second physical location, detecting, by the microphone, a second audio signal, identifying an audio processing algorithm based on data indicative of the second audio signal, and transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to the playback device.

In another aspect, a playback device is provided. The playback device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform the following functions. The functions include: playing the first audio signal; receiving, from a network device, data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device as the network device moves from a first physical location to a second physical location within a playback environment; identifying an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal; and applying the identified audio processing algorithm when playing the audio content in the playback environment.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform the following functions. The functions include: receiving, from a network device, data indicative of an audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device as the network device moves from a first physical location to a second physical location within a playback environment; identifying an audio processing algorithm based on data indicative of the detected audio signal; and transmitting data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to a playback device in the playback environment.

In another aspect, a network device is provided. The network device includes a microphone, a processor, and a memory having instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform the following functions. The functions include: detecting, by a microphone of a network device, a first audio signal when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device; receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device; identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and applying the microphone calibration algorithm when performing a calibration function associated with the playback device.

In another aspect, a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform the following functions. The functions include: receiving, from a network device, data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device; receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device; identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and applying the microphone calibration algorithm when performing calibration functions associated with the network device and the playback device.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium stores instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform the following functions. The functions include: receiving, from a network device, data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device; receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device; identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and causing an association between the determined microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the network device to be stored in a database.

While some examples described herein may refer to functions performed by a given actor, e.g., "user," and/or other entity, it should be understood that this is for illustration purposes only. The claims should not be construed as requiring any such example actor to take action unless explicitly required by the claim's own language. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure includes many other embodiments.

Example work Environment

Fig. 1 illustrates an example configuration of a media playback system 100 in which one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or realized. The media playback system 100 shown is associated with an example home environment having several rooms and spaces, such as, for example, a home, an office, a restaurant, and a living room. As shown in the example of fig. 1, the media playback system 100 includes: playback devices 102-124, control devices 126 and 128, and wired or wireless network router 130.

Additional discussion regarding the different components of the example media playback system 100 and how they interact to provide a media experience for a user may be found in the following sections. Although the discussion herein may generally refer to an example media playback system 100, the techniques described herein are not limited to application in the home environment shown in fig. 1, among other things. For example, the techniques described herein may be useful in environments where multi-zone audio is desired, such as, for example, commercial environments like restaurants, malls, or airports, vehicles like Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), buses or cars, ships or boats, airplanes, and the like.

a.Example playback device

Fig. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device 200, which example playback device 200 may be configured as one or more of the playback devices 102-124 of the media playback system 100 of fig. 1. The playback device 200 may include a processor 202, software components 204, a memory 206, an audio processing component 208, an audio amplifier 210, a speaker 212, a microphone 220, and a network interface 214 including a wireless interface 216 and a wired interface 218. In one case, the playback device 200 may not include the speaker 212, but may include a speaker interface for connecting the playback device 200 to an external speaker. In another case, the playback device 200 may include neither the speaker 212 nor the audio amplifier 210, but may include only an audio interface for connecting the playback device 200 to an external audio amplifier or audio-visual receiver.

In one example, the processor 202 may be a clock driven computational component configured to process input data according to instructions stored in the memory 206. The memory 206 may be a tangible computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by the processor 202. For example, the memory 206 may be a data memory capable of loading one or more of the software components 204 executable by the processor 202 to implement certain functions. In one example, the functions may include the playback device 200 retrieving audio data from an audio source or another playback device. In another example, the functionality may include the playback device 200 sending audio data to another device or playback device on the network. In yet another example, the functionality may include the playback device 200 pairing with one or more playback devices to create a multi-channel audio environment.

The particular functionality may include the playback device 200 playing back audio content in synchronization with one or more other playback devices. During synchronized playback, the listener will preferably not be able to perceive a time delay difference between the playback of the audio content by the playback device 200 and the playback of the audio content by one or more other playback devices. U.S. patent No.8,234,395 entitled "System and method for synchronizing operations a plurality of audio playback devices" provides some examples of audio playback synchronization between playback devices in greater detail, and is hereby incorporated by reference.

The memory 206 may also be configured to store data associated with the playback device 200, such as one or more zones and/or zone groups of which the playback device 200 is a part, audio sources accessible by the playback device 200, or playback queues with which the playback device 200 (or some other playback device) may be associated. The data may be stored as one or more state variables that are periodically updated and used to describe the state of the playback device 200. The memory 206 may also include the following data: associated with the state of other devices of the media system, and sometimes shared between the devices such that one or more of the devices has up-to-date data associated with the system. Other embodiments are also possible.

The audio processing component 208 may include one or more of the following: a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an audio pre-processing component, an audio enhancement component, or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), etc. In one implementation, one or more of the audio processing components 208 may be a sub-component of the processor 202. In one example, the audio processing component 208 may process and/or intentionally alter audio content to produce an audio signal. The resulting audio signal may then be provided to an audio amplifier 210 for amplification and playback through a speaker 212. In particular, the audio amplifier 210 may include a device configured to amplify an audio signal to a level for driving one or more of the speakers 212. The speaker 212 may include a separate transducer (e.g., a "driver") or a complete speaker system including a housing with one or more drivers. The particular drivers of the speaker 212 may include, for example, a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), a midrange driver (e.g., for mid-range frequencies), and/or a tweeter (e.g., for high frequencies). In some cases, each transducer of the one or more speakers 212 may be driven by a separate corresponding audio amplifier of the audio amplifier 210. In addition to generating analog signals for playback by the playback device 200, the audio processing component 208 may be configured to process audio content to be sent to one or more other playback devices for playback.

Audio content to be processed and/or played back by the playback device 200 may be received from an external source, for example, via an audio line in connection (e.g., an auto-detect 3.5mm audio line in connection) or the network interface 214.

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

The network interface 214 may be configured to facilitate data flow between the playback device 200 and one or more other devices on a data network. Likewise, the playback device 200 may be configured to receive audio content over a data network from one or more other playback devices in communication with the playback device 200, a network device within a local area network, or a source of audio content over a wide area network such as the internet. In one example, audio content and other signals transmitted and received by the playback device 200 may be transmitted in the form of digital packet data that includes an Internet Protocol (IP) based source address and an IP based destination address. In this case, the network interface 214 may be configured to parse the digital packet data so that the playback device 200 properly receives and processes the data destined for the playback device 200.

As shown, the network interface 214 may include a wireless interface 216 and a wired interface 218. The wireless interface 216 may provide network interface functionality for the playback device 200 to wirelessly communicate with other devices (e.g., other playback devices, speakers, receivers, network devices, control devices associated with the playback device 200 within a data network) according to a communication protocol (e.g., any wireless standard, including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11G, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile communication standards, etc.). The wired interface 218 may provide network interface functionality for the playback device 200 to communicate with other devices over a wired connection according to a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). Although the network interface 214 shown in fig. 2 includes both a wireless interface 216 and a wired interface 218, in some embodiments the network interface 214 may include only a wireless interface or only a wired interface.

In one example, the playback device 200 can be paired with one other playback device to play two separate audio components of audio content. For example, the playback device 200 may be configured to play a left channel audio component, while other playback devices may be configured to play a right channel audio component, thereby creating or enhancing a stereo effect of the audio content. Paired playback devices (also referred to as "bound playback devices") can also play audio content in synchronization with other playback devices.

In another example, the playback device 200 may be acoustically joined with one or more other playback devices to form a single joined playback device. Because the federated playback device may have additional speaker drivers through which audio content can be rendered, the federated playback device may be configured to process and reproduce sound differently than the non-federated playback device or the paired playback device. For example, if the playback device 200 is a playback device designed to present low-band audio content (i.e., a subwoofer), the playback device 200 can be joined with a playback device designed to present full-band audio content. In such a case, when coupled with the low frequency playback device 200, the full band playback device may be configured to present only the mid frequency component and the high frequency component of the audio content, while the low frequency playback device 200 presents the low frequency component of the audio content. The federated playback device may also be paired with a single playback device or another federated playback device.

For example, SONOS companies currently publicly sell (or have publicly sold) specific playback devices that include "PLAY: 1 "," PLAY: 3 "," PLAY: 5 "," PLAYBAR "," CONNECT: AMP "," CONNECT ", and" SUB ". Additionally or alternatively, any other past, present, and/or future playback devices may be used to implement the playback devices of the example embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the playback device is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2 or the SONOS product offering. For example, the playback device may include a wired or wireless headset. In another example, the playback device may include or interact with a docking station for a personal mobile media playback device. In yet another example, the playback device may be necessary to form another device or component, such as a television, a lighting fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

b.Example playback zone configuration

Referring again to the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, the environment may have one or more playback zones, each having one or more playback devices. The media playback system 100 may be created with one or more playback zones, after which one or more zones may be added or removed to achieve the example configuration shown in fig. 1. Each area may be named according to different rooms or spaces, such as an office, a bathroom, a master bedroom, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and/or a balcony. In one case, the individual playback zones may include multiple rooms or spaces. In another case, a single room or space may include multiple playback zones.

As shown in fig. 1, balconies, restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms, offices and bedroom areas each have one playback device, while living room and main lying area each have a plurality of playback devices. In the living room area, playback devices 104, 106, 108, and 110 may be configured to: the audio content is played synchronously as a separate playback device, as one or more bundled playback devices, as one or more joined playback devices, or any combination thereof. Similarly, in the master-slave scenario, the playback devices 122 and 124 may be configured to: the audio content is played synchronously as individual playback devices, as bundled playback devices, or as a joint playback device.

In one example, one or more playback zones in the environment of fig. 1 may each be playing different audio content. For example, a user may be grilling on a balcony area and listening to hip-hop music being played by the playback device 102, while another user may be preparing food in a kitchen area and listening to classical music being played by the playback device 114. In another example, a playback zone may play the same audio content in synchronization with another playback zone. For example, the user may be in an office area where the playback device 118 is playing the same rock music as the playback device 102 in the balcony area. In such a case, the playback devices 102 and 118 may play the rock music synchronously such that the audio content being loud played may be enjoyed seamlessly (or at least substantially seamlessly) as the user moves between different playback zones. As described in the previously cited U.S. patent No.8,234,395, synchronization between playback zones may be accomplished in a manner similar to the manner of synchronization between playback devices.

As set forth above, the zone configuration of the media playback system 100 may be dynamically modified, and in some implementations, the media playback system 100 supports many configurations. For example, if a user physically moves one or more playback devices to or from a zone, the media playback system 100 may be reconfigured to accommodate one or more changes. For example, if a user physically moves playback device 102 from a balcony area to an office area, the office area may now include both playback device 118 and playback device 102. If desired, the playback device 102 may be paired or grouped with an office area and/or the playback device 102 renamed via control devices such as control devices 126 and 128. On the other hand, if one or more playback devices are moved to a particular zone in the indoor environment that is not already a playback zone, a new playback zone may be created for the particular zone.

Further, different playback zones of the media playback system 100 may be dynamically combined into zone groups or divided into separate playback zones. For example, the restaurant area and the kitchen area 114 may be combined into a regional group for a banquet such that the playback devices 112 and 114 may present audio content synchronously. On the other hand, if one user wants to listen to music in the living room space and another user wants to watch television, the living room area may be divided into a television area including playback device 104 and a listening area including playback devices 106, 108, and 110.

c.Example control device

Fig. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example control device 300, which example control device 300 may be configured to be one or both of the control devices 126 and 128 of the media playback system 100. As shown, the control device 300 may include a processor 302, a memory 304, a network interface 306, a user interface 308, and a microphone 310. In one example, the control device 300 may be a dedicated controller for the media playback system 100. In another example, control device 300 may be a network device capable of installing media playback system controller application software, e.g., an iPhone^TM、iPad^TMOr any other smart phone, tablet or network device (e.g., a networked computer such as a PC or Mac)^TM)。

The processor 302 may be configured to perform functions related to facilitating user access, control, and configuration of the media playback system 100. The memory 304 may be configured to store instructions that can be executed by the processor 302 to perform those functions. The memory 304 may also be configured to store media playback system controller application software and other data associated with the media playback system 100 and the user.

Microphone 310 may include an audio sensor configured to convert detected sound into an electrical signal. The electrical signals may be processed by a processor 302. In one case, if the control device 300 is a device that may also be used as a means for voice communication or voice recording, one or more of the microphones 310 may be microphones to facilitate these functions. For example, one or more of the microphones may be configured to detect sounds in a frequency range that a human being is capable of producing and/or a frequency range that is audible to a human being. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, the network interface 306 may be based on an industry standard (e.g., infrared standards, radio standards, wired standards including IEEE 802.3, wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11G, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile communication standards, etc.). The network interface 306 may provide a means for the control device 300 to communicate with other devices in the media playback system 100. In one example, data and information (e.g., such as state variables) may be communicated between the control device 300 and other devices via the network interface 306. For example, the control device 300 may receive the playback zone and zone group configuration in the media playback system 100 from a playback device or another network device via the network interface 306 or the control device 300 may transmit the playback zone and zone group configuration in the media playback system 100 to another playback device or network device via the network interface 306. In some cases, the other network device may be another control device.

Playback device control commands, such as volume control and audio playback control, may also be communicated from the control device 300 to the playback device via the network interface 306. As set forth above, the change of the configuration of the media playback system 100 may also be performed by the user using the control device 300. The configuration change may include: adding or removing one or more playback devices to or from a zone; adding or removing one or more regions to or from a group of regions; form bound or affiliated players; one or more playback devices are separated from bound or affiliated players. Thus, the control device 300 may sometimes be referred to as a controller, whether the control device 300 is a dedicated controller or a network device that installs media playback system controller application software.

The user interface 308 of the control device 300 may be configured to facilitate user access and control of the media playback system 100 by providing a controller interface, such as the controller interface 400 shown in fig. 4. The controller interface 400 includes a playback control zone 410, a playback zone 420, a playback status zone 430, a playback queue zone 440, and an audio content source zone 450. The user interface 400 shown is only one example of a user interface that may be disposed on a network device, such as the control device 300 of fig. 3 (and/or the control devices 126 and 128 of fig. 1), and accessed by a user to control a media playback system, such as the media playback system 100. Alternatively, other user interfaces of different formats, different types, and different interaction sequences may be implemented on one or more network devices to provide comparable control access to the media playback system.

The playback control zone 410 can include selectable (e.g., by touch or by use of a cursor) icons for causing playback devices in a selected playback zone or group of zones to play or pause, fast forward, fast rewind, skip next, skip previous, enter/exit random mode, enter/exit repeat mode, enter/exit cross-fade mode. The playback control zone 410 may also include selectable icons for modifying equalization settings, playback volume, and the like.

The playback zone 420 may include a representation of a playback zone in the media playback system 100. In some implementations, the graphical representation of the playback zone can optionally bring up additional selectable icons that manage or configure the playback zone in the media playback system, such as creation of a bound zone, creation of a zone group, separation of a zone group, and renaming of a zone group, among others.

For example, as shown, a "grouping" icon may be arranged in each of the graphical representations of the playback zones. A "grouping" icon provided in the graphical representation of a particular region may optionally bring up an option to select one or more other regions of the media playback system to be grouped with the particular region. Once grouped, the playback devices in a zone that have been grouped with a particular zone will be configured to play audio content in synchronization with one or more playback devices in that particular zone. Similarly, a "grouping" icon may be provided in the graphical representation of the zone group. In this case, the "group" icon may optionally bring up the option of deselecting one or more regions of the regional group to be removed from the regional group. Other interactions and implementations for grouping and ungrouping regions via a user interface, such as user interface 400, are also possible. The representation of the playback zones in playback zone 420 may be dynamically updated as the playback zone or zone group configuration is modified.

The playback status zone 430 can include a graphical representation of audio content in the selected playback zone or group of zones that is currently being played, previously played, or scheduled to be played next. The selected playback zone or zone group may be visually distinguished on the user interface, such as in the playback zone 420 and/or the playback status zone 430. The graphical representation may include track title, artist name, album year, track length, and other relevant information useful to the user in knowing when to control the media playback system via the user interface 400.

The playback queue zone 440 may include a graphical representation of the audio content in the playback queue associated with the selected playback zone or group of zones. In some implementations, each playback zone or zone group can be associated with a playback queue that includes information corresponding to zero or more audio items for playback by the playback zone or zone group. For example, each audio item in the playback queue can include a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), or some other identifier that a playback device in a playback zone or group of zones can use to find and/or retrieve audio items from a local audio content source or a networked audio content source that are likely to be used for playback by the playback device.

In one example, a playlist may be added to the playback queue, in which case information corresponding to each audio item in the playlist may be added to the playback queue. In another example, the audio items in the playback queue may be saved as a playlist. In yet another example, the playback queue may be empty or filled but "out of use" when the playback zone or zone group is continuously playing streaming audio content, such as an internet broadcast that may be continuously played until otherwise stopped, rather than playing discrete audio items having a playback duration. In an alternative embodiment, when a playback zone or group of zones is playing internet radio and/or other streaming audio content items, the playback queue may include those items and be "in use". Other examples are also possible.

When a playback zone or group of zones is "grouped" or "ungrouped," the playback queue associated with the affected playback zone or group of zones may be cleared or re-associated. For example, if a first playback zone that includes a first playback queue is grouped with a second playback zone that includes a second playback queue, the created zone group may have an associated playback queue that is initially empty that includes audio items from the first playback queue (e.g., if the second playback zone is added to the first playback zone), that includes audio items from the second playback queue (e.g., if the first playback zone is added to the second playback zone), or that includes a combination of audio items from both the first playback queue and the second playback queue. Subsequently, if the created zone group is ungrouped, the resulting first playback zone may be re-associated with the previous first playback queue or may be associated with a new playback queue that is empty or that includes audio items from the playback queue associated with the created zone group prior to the created zone group being ungrouped. Similarly, the resulting second playback zone may be re-associated with the previous second playback queue, or associated with a new playback queue that is empty or that includes audio items from the playback queue associated with the created zone group before the created zone group was ungrouped. Other examples are also possible.

Referring again to the user interface 400 of fig. 4, the graphical representation of the audio content in the playback queue region 440 may include the track title, artist name, track length, and other relevant information associated with the audio content in the playback queue. In one example, the graphical representation of the audio content may optionally bring up further selectable icons for managing and/or manipulating the playback queue and/or the audio content represented in the playback queue. For example, the represented audio content may be removed from the playback queue, may be moved to a different location in the playback queue, or may be selected to be played immediately, or may be selected to be played after any audio content currently being played, and so forth. The playback queue associated with a playback zone or zone group may be stored in memory on one or more playback devices in the playback zone or zone group, or may be stored in memory on playback devices not in the playback zone or zone group, and/or may be stored in memory on some other designated device.

The audio content source section 450 may include a graphical representation of a selectable audio content source from which audio content may be retrieved and from which the retrieved audio content may be played by a selected playback zone or group of zones. A discussion of audio content sources may be found in the following sections.

d.Example Audio content Source

As previously described, one or more playback devices in a zone or group of zones may be configured to retrieve audio content for playback from various available audio content sources (e.g., according to a corresponding URI or URL of the audio content). In one example, the playback device may retrieve audio content directly from a corresponding audio content source (e.g., a line-in connection). In another example, audio content may be provided to a playback device over a network via one or more other playback devices or network devices.

Example audio content sources may include: a media playback system such as a memory of one or more playback devices in the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, a local music library on one or more network devices (e.g., such as a control device, a web-enabled personal computer, or Network Attached Storage (NAS)), a streaming audio service that provides audio content via the internet (e.g., the cloud), or an audio source connected to the media playback system via a line-in connection on a playback device or network device, and so forth.

In some implementations, the audio content source can be added to or removed from a media playback system, such as the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, periodically. In one example, indexing audio items may be performed whenever one or more audio content sources are added, removed, or updated. Indexing the audio item may include: scanning all folders/directories that are shared on a network accessible by playback devices in a media playback system for identifiable audio items; and generating or updating an audio content database that includes metadata (e.g., title, artist, album, track length, among others) and other associated information such as a URI or URL of each identifiable audio item found. Other examples for managing and maintaining audio content sources are possible.

The above discussion relating to playback devices, controller devices, playback zone configurations, and media content sources provides only a few examples of operating environments in which the functions and methods described below may be implemented. Other operating environments and configurations of media playback systems, playback devices, and network devices not explicitly described herein are also applicable and suitable for implementation of the described functions and methods.

Calibrating playback devices of a playback environment

As described above, examples described herein relate to calibrating one or more playback devices of a playback environment based on audio signals detected by microphones of network devices as the network devices move around within the playback environment.

In one example, calibration of the playback device may be initiated when the playback device is first set up or if the playback device has been moved to a new location. For example, where the playback device is moved to a new location, calibration of the playback device may be initiated based on detecting the movement (i.e., by a Global Positioning System (GPS), one or more accelerometers, or a change in wireless signal strength, etc.) or based on user input indicating that the playback device has moved to the new location (i.e., a change in the name of a playback zone associated with the playback device).

In another example, calibration of the playback device may be initiated by a controller device (e.g., a network device). For example, a user may access a controller interface of the playback device to initiate calibration of the playback device. In one case, the user may access the controller interface and select the playback device (or a group of playback devices that includes the playback device) to be calibrated. In some cases, a calibration interface may be provided as part of a controller interface of the playback device to enable a user to initiate playback device calibration. Other examples are also possible.

Methods 500, 700, and 800, discussed below, are example methods that can be performed to calibrate one or more playback devices of a playback environment.

a.First example method of calibrating one or more playback devices

Fig. 5 illustrates an example flow diagram of a first method 500 for calibrating a playback device based on audio signals detected by microphones of network devices moving around within a playback environment. The method 500 shown in fig. 5 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment including, for example, the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of fig. 2, one or more control devices 300 of fig. 3, and the playback environment 600 of fig. 6, which will be discussed below. The method 500 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 502 through 506. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, the blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than described herein. Moreover, multiple blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed according to a desired implementation.

Additionally, for the method 500 and other processes and methods disclosed herein, a flowchart illustrates the functionality and operation of one possible implementation of the present embodiments. In this regard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of program code, which comprises one or more instructions capable of being executed by a processor to implement a particular logical function or step in the process. The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, such as a storage device including, for example, a disk or hard drive. The computer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readable media such as, for example, computer readable media that store data for short periods of time like register memory, processor cache memory, and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory media such as, for example, secondary or persistent long term memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM). The computer readable medium may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storage system. The computer-readable medium may be considered, for example, a computer-readable storage medium or a tangible storage device. Additionally, for the method 500 disclosed herein as well as other processes and methods, each block may represent circuitry wired to perform a particular logical function in the process.

In one example, method 500 may be performed, at least in part, by a network device whose built-in microphone may be used to calibrate one or more playback devices. As shown in fig. 5, the method 500 includes: at block 502, detecting, by a microphone of a network device, a second audio signal while (i) a playback device is playing a first audio signal and (ii) the network device is moving from a first physical location to a second physical location; at block 504, identifying an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal; and at block 506, transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to the playback device.

To help illustrate the method 500 and the methods 700 and 800, the playback environment 600 of fig. 6 is provided. As shown in fig. 6, playback environment 600 includes network device 602, playback device 604, playback device 606, and computing device 610. The network device 602 that may coordinate and/or perform at least a portion of the method 500 may be similar to the control device 300 of fig. 3. Both playback devices 604 and 606 may be similar to the playback device 200 of fig. 2. One or both of the playback devices 604 and 606 may be calibrated according to the methods 500, 700, or 800. Computing device 810 may be a server in communication with a media playback system that includes playback devices 604 and 606. The computing device 810 may also communicate directly or indirectly with the network device 602. Although the following discussion regarding methods 500, 700, and 800 may refer to the playback environment 600 of fig. 6, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the playback environment 600 is merely one example of a playback environment within which a playback device may be calibrated. Other examples are also possible.

Referring again to method 500, block 502 includes: the second audio signal is detected by a microphone of the network device when (i) the playback device is playing the first audio signal and (ii) the network device is moving from the first physical location to the second physical location. The playback device is a calibrated playback device and may be one of the one or more playback devices in the playback environment and may be configured to play audio content alone or in synchronization with another one of the playback devices in the playback environment. For purposes of illustration, the playback device may be playback device 604.

In one example, the first audio signal may be a test signal or measurement signal representing audio content that can be played by the playback device during regular use by the user. Thus, the first audio signal may comprise audio content having a frequency substantially covering a renderable frequency range or a human-audible frequency range of the playback device 604. In one case, the first audio signal may be an audio signal specifically created for use in calibrating a playback device, such as the playback device 604 being calibrated in the examples discussed herein. In another case, the first audio signal may be an audio track that is a preference of a user of the playback device 604, or an audio track that is commonly played by the playback device 604. Other examples are also possible.

For purposes of illustration, the network device may be network device 602. As previously described, the network device 602 may be a mobile device with a built-in microphone. Thus, the microphone of the network device may be a built-in microphone of the network device. In one example, the network device 602 may cause the playback device 804 to play the first audio signal before the network device 602 detects the second audio signal through a microphone of the network device 602. In one case, the network device 602 may send data indicative of the first audio signal for playback by the playback device 604.

In another example, the playback device 604 may play the first audio signal in response to a command received from a server, such as the computing device 610, to play the first audio signal. In yet another example, the playback device 604 may play the first audio signal without receiving a command from the network device 602 or the computing device 610. For example, if the playback device 604 is coordinating the calibration of the playback device 604, the playback device 604 may play the first audio signal without receiving a command to play the first audio signal.

Assuming that the second audio signal is detected by the microphone of the network device 602 while the first audio signal is being played by the playback device 604, the second audio signal may include a portion that corresponds to the first audio signal. In other words, the second audio signal may include portions of the first audio signal that are played by the playback device 604 and/or portions of the first audio signal that are reflected within the playback environment 600.

In one example, both the first physical location and the second physical location may be within the playback environment 600. As shown in fig. 6, the first physical location may be point (a) and the second physical location may be point (b). When moving from the first physical location (a) to the second physical location (b), the network device may traverse locations within the playback environment 600 where one or more listeners can experience audio playback during regular use of the playback device 604. In one example, the example playback environment 600 can include a kitchen and a restaurant, and the path 608 between the first physical location (a) and the second physical location (b) covers a location within the kitchen and the restaurant where one or more listeners can experience audio playback during regular use of the playback device 604.

Assuming that the second audio signal is detected while the network device 602 is moving from the first physical location (a) to the second physical location (b), the second audio signal may comprise audio signals detected at different locations along the path 608 between the first physical location (a) and the second physical location (b). Thus, the characteristic of the second audio signal may indicate that the second audio signal was detected when the network device 602 moved from the first physical location (a) to the second physical location (b).

In one example, movement of the network device 602 between the first physical location (a) and the second physical location (b) may be performed by a user. In one case, a graphical display of the network device can provide an indication of movement of the network device 602 within the playback device before and/or during detection of the second audio signal. For example, the graphical display may display text such as "please move the network device through a location within the playback zone where you or others can enjoy music while audio is being played. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, the first audio signal may have a predetermined duration (e.g., about 30 seconds), and the detection of the audio signal by the microphone of the network device 602 may last for the predetermined duration or a similar duration. In one case, the graphical display of the network device may also provide the user with an indication of the amount of time remaining for the mobile network device 602 to pass through the location within the playback environment 602. Other examples of graphical displays that provide an indication to assist a user during calibration of a playback device are also possible.

In one example, the playback device 604 and the network device 602 may coordinate playback of the first audio signal and/or detection of the second audio signal. In one case, upon initiating calibration, the playback device 604 may send a message to the network device indicating that the playback device 604 is or will be playing a first audio signal, and the network device 602 may begin detecting a second audio signal in response to the message. In another case, upon initiating calibration, the network device 602 may use a motion sensor, such as an accelerometer, on the network device 602 to detect movement of the network device 602 and send a message to the playback device 604 that the network device 602 has begun moving from the first physical location (a) to the second physical location (b). The playback device 604 may begin playing the first audio signal in response to the message. Other examples are also possible.

At block 504, the method 500 includes identifying an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal. As described above, the second audio signal may include a portion corresponding to the first audio signal played by the playback device.

In one example, the second audio signal detected by the microphone of the network device 602 may be an analog signal. Thus, the network device may process the detected analog signal (i.e., convert the detected audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal) and generate data indicative of the second audio signal.

In one case, the microphone of the network device 602 may have acoustic characteristics that can be incorporated into an audio signal that is output by the microphone to the processor of the network device 602 for processing (i.e., conversion to a digital audio signal). For example, if the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device include a low sensitivity at a particular frequency, audio content at the particular frequency may be attenuated in the audio signal output by the microphone.

Assume that the audio signal output by the microphone of the network device 602 is denoted x (t), the detected second audio signal is denoted s (t), and the acoustic characteristic of the microphone is denoted h (t)_m(t), then the relationship between the signal output from the microphone and the second audio signal detected by the microphone may be:

wherein

A mathematical function representing a convolution. Thus, it may be based on the signal x (t) output from the microphone and the acoustic properties h of the microphone_m(t) to determine a second audio signal s (t) detected by the microphone. For example, a calibration algorithm such as h may be used_m ^-1(t) is applied to the audio signal output from the microphone of the network device 602 to determine a second audio signal s (t) detected by the microphone.

In one example, the acoustic characteristic h of the microphone of the network device 602_m(t) may be known. For example, a database of microphone acoustic characteristics and corresponding network device models and/or network device microphone models may be available. In another example, the acoustic characteristic h of the microphone of the network device 602_m(t) may be unknown. In this case, the playback device, e.g., playback device 604, playback device 606, or another playback device, may be used to determine the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of network device 602 or a microphone calibration algorithm. Examples of this process can be found below in connection with fig. 9-11.

In one example, identifying an audio processing algorithm may include: the method further includes determining a frequency response based on the first audio signal based on data indicative of the second audio signal and identifying an audio processing algorithm based on the determined frequency response.

Assuming that the network device 602 is moving from the first physical location (a) to the second physical location (b) when the microphone of the network device 602 detects the second audio signal, the frequency response may comprise a series of frequency responses, each frequency response corresponding to a portion of the second audio signal detected at a different location along the path 608. In one case, an average frequency response of the series of frequency responses may be determined. For example, the signal amplitude of a particular frequency in the average frequency response may be an average of the amplitudes of the particular frequencies in the series of frequency responses. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, an audio processing algorithm may then be identified based on the average frequency response. In one case, the audio processing algorithm can be determined such that application of the audio processing algorithm by the playback device 604 when the first audio signal is played in the playback environment 600 produces a third audio signal having audio characteristics substantially identical to the predetermined audio characteristics.

In one example, the predetermined audio characteristic may be an audio frequency equalization that is considered good-listening (good-listening). In one case, the predetermined audio characteristic may include an equalization that is substantially uniform across a renderable frequency range of the playback device. In another case, the predetermined audio characteristics may include equalization that is deemed pleasant to a typical listener. In another case, the predetermined audio characteristics may include a frequency response that is deemed appropriate for a particular music type.

In either case, the network device 602 may identify the audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal and the predetermined audio characteristic. In one example, if the frequency response of the playback environment 600 causes a particular audio frequency to be attenuated more than other frequencies, and the predetermined audio characteristic includes an equalization in which the particular audio frequency is least attenuated, the corresponding audio processing algorithm may include increasing amplification at the particular audio frequency.

In one example, the relationship between the first audio signal f (t) and the second audio signal, denoted as s (t), detected by the microphone of the network device 602 may be described mathematically as:

wherein h is_pe(t) represents the acoustic characteristics of audio content played by the playback device 604 (at a location along the path 608) in the playback environment 600. If the predetermined audio characteristic is represented as a predetermined audio signal z (t) and the audio processing algorithm is represented by p (t), the predetermined audio signal z (t), the second audio signal s (t), and the audio processing algorithm p (t) may be described mathematically as:

z(t)＝s(t)×p(t) (3)

thus, the audio processing algorithm p (t) can be described mathematically as:

p(t)＝z(t)/s(t) (4)

in some cases, identifying the audio processing algorithm may include the network device 602 sending data indicative of the second audio signal to the computing device 610. In this case, the computing device 610 may be configured to identify an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal. The computing device 610 may identify the audio processing algorithm similar to that discussed above in connection with equations 1-4. The network device 602 may then receive the identified audio processing algorithm from the computing device 610.

At block 506, the method 500 includes transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to the playback device. In some cases, the network device 602 may also send commands to the playback device 604 to apply the identified audio processing algorithms when playing audio content in the playback environment 600.

In one example, the data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm may include one or more parameters of the identified audio processing algorithm. In another example, the database of audio processing algorithms can be accessible by the playback device. In this case, the data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm may point to an entry in the database corresponding to the identified audio processing algorithm.

In some cases, if the computing device 610 has identified an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal at block 504, the computing device 610 may send the data indicative of the audio processing algorithm directly to the playback device.

While the above discussion generally refers to calibrating a single playback device, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that similar functions may also be performed to calibrate multiple playback devices, either individually or as a group. For example, the method 500 may also be performed by the playback devices 604 and/or 606 to calibrate the playback device 606 of the playback environment 600. In one example, the playback device 604 may be calibrated to synchronize playback with the playback device 606 in a playback environment. For example, the playback device 604 may cause the playback device 606 to play the third audio signal in synchronization with or separate from the playback of the first audio signal by the playback device 604.

In one example, the first audio signal and the third audio signal may be played substantially the same and/or simultaneously. In another example, the first audio signal and the third audio signal may be orthogonal or may be distinguishable. For example, the playback device 606 may play the first audio signal after the playback device 606 completes playback of the third audio signal. In another example, the phase of the first audio signal may be orthogonal to the phase of the third audio signal. In yet another example, the third audio signal may have a different and/or varying frequency range than the first audio signal. Other examples are also possible.

In either case, the second audio signal detected by the microphone of the network device 602 may also include a portion corresponding to the third audio signal played by the second playback device. The second audio signal may then be processed to identify an audio processing algorithm for the playback device 604 and an audio processing algorithm for the playback device 606, as described above. In this case, the one or more additional functions include that a resolution of the different contributions of the playback device 604 and the playback device 606 to the second audio signal may be performed.

In an example, a first audio processing algorithm can be identified for application by the playback device 604 when audio content is played by itself in the playback environment 600, and a second audio processing algorithm can be identified for application by the playback device 604 when audio content is played in the playback environment 600 in synchronization with the playback device 606. The playback device 604 may then apply the appropriate audio processing algorithms based on the playback configuration in which the playback device 604 is located. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, upon initially identifying the audio processing algorithm, the playback device 604 can apply the audio processing algorithm while playing the audio content. A user of the playback device (which may have been initiated and engaged in calibration) may decide after listening to audio content played using the applied audio processing algorithm whether to save the identified audio processing algorithm, abandon the audio processing algorithm and/or perform calibration again.

In some cases, a user may activate or deactivate the identified audio processing algorithm for a certain period of time. In one example, this may allow the user more time to evaluate whether to have the playback device 604 apply the audio processing algorithm or to perform the calibration again. If the user indicates that the audio processing algorithm should be applied, the playback device 604 may apply the audio processing algorithm by default when the playback device 604 plays the media content. The audio processing algorithms may also be stored on the network device 604, the playback device 606, the computing device 610, or any other device in communication with the playback device 604. Other examples are also possible.

As described above, the method 500 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by the network device 602. However, in some implementations, some of the functionality of the method 500 may be performed and/or coordinated by one or more other devices, including the playback device 604, the playback device 606, or the computing device 610, among others. For example, as described above, block 502 may be performed by network device 602, while in some cases block 504 may be performed in part by computing device 610, and block 506 may be performed by network device 602 and/or computing device 610. Other examples are also possible.

b.Second example method for calibrating one or more playback devices

Fig. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram of a second method 700 for calibrating a playback device based on audio signals detected by microphones of network devices moving around within a playback environment. The method 700 shown in fig. 7 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment including, for example, the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of fig. 2, one or more control devices 300 of fig. 3, and the playback environment 600 of fig. 6, which will be discussed below. Method 700 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 702 through 708. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, the blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than described herein. Moreover, multiple blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed according to a desired implementation.

In one example, method 700 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by a playback device being calibrated. As shown in fig. 7, method 700 includes: at block 702, playing a first audio signal; at block 704, receiving, from the network device, data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device moves from the first physical location to the second physical location; at block 706, identifying an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal; and at block 708, applying the identified audio processing algorithm while the audio content is being played in the playback environment.

At block 702, the method 700 includes a playback device playing a first audio signal. Referring again to fig. 600, the playback device performing at least a portion of method 700 may be playback device 604. Accordingly, the playback device 604 may play the first audio signal. Further, the playback device 604 may play the first audio signal with or without a command from the network device 602, the computing device 610, or the playback device 606 to play the first audio signal.

In one example, the first audio signal may be substantially similar to the first audio signal discussed above in connection with block 502. Thus, any discussion of the first audio signal in connection with method 500 may also apply to the first audio signal discussed in connection with block 702 and method 700.

At block 704, the method 700 includes receiving, from the network device, data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device moves from the first physical location to the second physical location. In addition to indicating the second audio signal, the data may also indicate that the second audio signal was detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device is moving from the first physical location to the second physical location. In one example, block 704 may be substantially similar to block 502 of method 500. Thus, any discussion related to block 502 and method 500 may also apply to block 704, with modifications at times.

In one case, when the microphone of the network device 602 detects the second audio signal, the playback device 604 may receive data indicative of the second audio signal. In other words, the network device 602 may stream data indicative of the second audio signal upon detecting the second audio signal. In another case, once the detection of the second audio signal is complete (and in some cases, the first audio signal is played back by the playback device 604), the playback device 604 may receive data indicative of the second audio signal. Other examples are also possible.

At block 706, the method 700 includes identifying an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal. In one example, block 706 may be substantially similar to block 504 of method 500. Thus, any discussion related to block 504 and method 500 may also apply to block 706, with modifications at times.

At block 708, the method 700 includes applying the identified audio processing algorithm when playing audio content in the playback environment. In one example, block 708 may be substantially similar to block 506 of method 500. Thus, any discussion related to block 506 and method 500 may also apply to block 708, with modifications at times. In this case, however, the playback device 604 may apply the identified audio processing algorithm without having to send the identified audio processing algorithm to another device. As previously described, the playback device 604 may still transmit the identified audio processing algorithms to another device, such as the computing device 610, for storage.

As described above, the method 700 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by the playback device 604. However, in some implementations, some of the functions of the method 700 may be performed and/or coordinated by one or more additional devices, including the network device 602, the playback device 606, or the computing device 610, among others. For example, blocks 702, 704, and 708 may be performed by playback device 604, while in some cases, block 706 may be performed in part by network device 602 or computing device 610. Other examples are also possible.

c.Third for calibrating one or more playback devicesExample method

Fig. 8 illustrates an example flow diagram of a third method 800 for calibrating a playback device based on audio signals detected by microphones of network devices moving around within a playback environment. The method 800 shown in fig. 8 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment including, for example, the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of fig. 2, one or more control devices 300 of fig. 3, and the playback environment 600 of fig. 6, which will be discussed below. Method 800 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 802 through 806. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, the blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than described herein. Moreover, multiple blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed according to a desired implementation.

In one example, method 800 may be performed, at least in part, by a computing device, such as a server in communication with a playback device. Referring again to the playback environment 600 of fig. 6, the method 800 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by the computing device 610.

As shown in fig. 8, method 800 includes: at block 802, data is received from a network device indicative of an audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device as the network device moves from a first physical location to a second physical location within a playback environment; at block 804, identifying an audio processing algorithm based on data indicative of the detected audio signal; and at block 806, transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to a playback device in the playback environment.

At block 802, method 800 includes receiving, from a network device, data indicative of an audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device as the network device moves from a first physical location to a second physical location within a playback environment. In addition to indicating the detected audio signal, the data may also indicate that the detected audio signal was detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device moved from the first physical location to the second physical location. In one example, block 802 may be substantially similar to block 502 of method 500 and block 704 of method 700. Thus, any discussion related to block 502 and method 500 or block 704 and method 700 may also apply to block 802, sometimes with modifications.

At block 804, the method 800 includes identifying an audio processing algorithm based on data indicative of the detected audio signal. In one example, block 804 may be substantially similar to block 504 of method 500 and block 706 of method 700. Thus, any discussion related to block 504 and method 500 or block 706 and method 700 may also apply to block 804, sometimes with modifications.

At block 806, the method 800 includes, at block 806, transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to a playback device in the playback environment. In one example, block 806 may be substantially similar to block 506 of method 500 and block 708 of method 700. Thus, any discussion related to block 504 and method 500 or block 708 and method 700 may also apply to block 806, sometimes with modifications.

As described above, the method 800 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by the computing device 610. However, in some implementations, some of the functions of the method 800 may be performed and/or coordinated by one or more other devices, including the network device 602, the playback device 604, or the playback device 606, among others. For example, as described above, block 802 may be performed by a computing device, while in some cases, block 804 may be performed in part by network device 602, and block 806 may be performed by computing device 610 and/or network device 602. Other examples are also possible.

In some cases, two or more network devices may be used to calibrate one or more playback devices, either individually or collectively. For example, two or more network devices may detect audio signals played by one or more playback devices as they move around in a playback environment. For example, one network device may move around where a first user regularly listens to audio content played by one or more playback devices, while another network device may move around where a second user regularly listens to audio content played by one or more playback devices. In this case, the processing algorithm may be executed based on the audio signals detected by the two or more network devices.

Further, in some cases, a processing algorithm may be executed for each of the two or more network devices based on signals detected as each respective network device traverses a different path within the playback environment. Thus, if a particular network device is used to initiate playback of audio content by one or more playback devices, a processing algorithm determined based on audio signals detected as the particular network device traverses the playback environment may be applied. Other examples are also possible.

Calibrating a network device microphone using a playback device microphone

As discussed above in connection with fig. 5-8, calibration of a playback device in a playback environment may include knowledge of the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device used for calibration and/or a calibration algorithm. However, in some cases, the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device used for calibration and/or the calibration algorithm may be unknown.

Examples discussed in this section include calibrating a microphone of the network device based on audio signals detected by the microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device. Methods 900 and 1100, discussed below, are example methods that may be performed to calibrate a network device microphone.

a.First example method for calibrating a network device microphone

Fig. 9 illustrates an example flow diagram of a first method for calibrating a network device microphone. The method 900 shown in fig. 9 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment including, for example, the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, the one or more playback devices 200 of fig. 2, the one or more control devices 300 of fig. 3, and the example arrangement 1000 for microphone calibration shown in fig. 10, which will be discussed below. Method 900 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 902 through 908. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, the blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than described herein. Moreover, multiple blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed according to a desired implementation.

In one example, method 900 may be performed, at least in part, by a network device whose microphone is being calibrated. As shown in fig. 9, method 900 includes: at block 902, detecting, by a microphone of a network device, a first audio signal when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of a playback device; at block 904, receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device; at block 906, identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and at block 908, applying microphone calibration when performing calibration functions associated with the playback device.

To help illustrate the method 900 and the method 1100 below, an example arrangement 1000 of microphone calibration as shown in fig. 10 is provided. Microphone calibration arrangement 1000 includes playback device 1002, playback device 1004, playback device 1006, microphone 1008 of playback device 1006, network device 1010, and computing device 1012.

The network device 1010 capable of coordinating and/or performing at least a portion of the method 900 may be similar to the control device 300 of fig. 3. In this case, network device 1010 may have a microphone to be calibrated according to method 900 and/or method 1100. As described above, the network device 1010 may be a mobile device with a built-in microphone. Thus, the microphone of the network device 1010 to be calibrated may be a built-in microphone of the network device 1010.

The playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 may each be similar to the playback device 200 of fig. 2. One or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 may have a microphone (with known acoustic characteristics). Computing device 1012 may be a server in communication with a media playback system including playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. Computing device 1012 may also communicate with network device 1010, either directly or indirectly. Although the discussion below in connection with methods 900 and 1100 may refer to the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 of fig. 10, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated microphone calibration arrangement 1000 is only one example of a microphone calibration arrangement within which a network device microphone may be calibrated. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 may be located within an acoustic test facility where the network device microphones are calibrated. In another example, the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 may be located in a user's home where the user may calibrate the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 using the network device 1010.

In one example, calibration of a microphone of network device 1010 may be initiated by network device 1010 or computing device 1012. For example, calibration of the microphone may be initiated when an audio signal detected by the microphone is being processed by the network device 1010 or computing device 1012, e.g., for calibrating the playback device as described above in connection with methods 500, 700, and 800, but the acoustic characteristics of the microphone are unknown. In another example, calibration of the microphone of the network device 1010 may be initiated when the network device 1010 receives an input indicating that the microphone is to be calibrated. In one case, the input may be provided by a user of network device 1010.

Referring again to method 900, block 902 includes: the first audio signal is detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device. Referring to the microphone calibration arrangement 1000, the network device 1010 may be within a predetermined physical range of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006. As shown, the microphone 1008 may be at an upper left position of the playback device 1006. In an implementation, the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 may be placed at a number of possible locations relative to the playback device 1006. In one case, the microphone 1008 may be hidden within the playback device 1006 and not visible from outside the playback device 1006.

Thus, depending on the position of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006, the position within the predetermined physical range of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 may be one of: a position above the playback device 1006, a position behind the playback device 1006, a position to the side of the playback device 1006, a position in front of the playback device 1006, or the like.

In one example, the network device 1010 may be placed by a user within a predetermined physical range of the microphone 1008 of the playback device as part of a calibration process. For example, upon initiating calibration of a microphone of network device 1010, network device 1010 may provide a graphical interface on a graphical display of network device 1010 that indicates that network device 1010 is to be placed within a predetermined physical range of a playback device having known microphone acoustic characteristics, such as a microphone of playback device 1006. In one case, if the plurality of playback devices controlled by the network device 1010 have microphones with known acoustic characteristics, the graphical interface may prompt the user to select a playback device from the plurality of playback devices for the calibration. In this example, the user has selected the playback device 1006. In one example, the graphical interface may include a plot of the predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device 1006 relative to the playback device 1006.

In one example, the first audio signal detected by the microphone of the network device 1010 may include a portion corresponding to the third audio signal played by one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. In other words, the detected first audio signal may include portions of the third audio signal played by one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006, portions of the third audio signal reflected within a room in which the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 is disposed, and so on.

In one example, the third audio signal played by one or more playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 may be a test signal or measurement signal representative of audio content that can be played by the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 during calibration of one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. Thus, the played third audio signal may include audio content having a frequency substantially covering the renderable frequency range or the human-audible frequency range of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. In one case, the played third audio signal may be an audio signal specifically created for use in calibrating playback devices, such as playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. Other examples are also possible.

Once the network device 1010 is in the predetermined location, the third audio signal may be played by one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. For example, once network device 1010 is within a predetermined physical range of microphone 1008, network device 1010 may send a message to one or more of playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 to cause one or more of playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 to play the third audio signal. In one case, the message may be sent in response to an input by the user indicating that network device 1010 is within a predetermined physical range of microphone 1008. In another case, the network device 1010 may detect the proximity of the playback device 1006 to the network device 1010 based on a proximity sensor on the network device 1010. In another example, the playback device 1006 may determine when the network device 1010 is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone 1008 based on a proximity sensor on the playback device 1006. Other examples are also possible.

Then, one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 may play the third audio signal, and the microphone of the network device 1010 may detect the first audio signal.

At block 904, the method 900 includes receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. Continuing with the above example, the microphone of the playback device may be the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006. In one example, the second audio signal may be detected by the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 at the same time that the microphone of the network device 1010 detects the first audio signal. Thus, the second audio signal may also include portions corresponding to the third audio signal played by one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006, portions of the third audio signal reflected within the room in which the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 is disposed, and so on.

In another example, the second audio signal may be detected by the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 before or after the first audio signal is detected. In this case, one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 may play the third audio signal or an audio signal that is substantially the same as the third audio signal at a different time that the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 detects the second audio signal.

In this case, one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 may be in the same microphone calibration arrangement 1000 when playing the third audio signal and when the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 detects the second audio signal.

In one example, the network device 1010 may receive data indicative of the second audio signal when the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 is detecting the second audio signal. In other words, when the microphone 1008 is detecting the second audio signal, the playback device 1006 can stream data indicative of the second audio signal to the network device 1010. In another example, the network device 1010 may receive data indicative of the second audio signal after the detection of the second audio signal is complete. Other examples are also possible.

At block 906, the method includes identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal. In one example, placing the network device 1010 within a predetermined physical range of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 results in the first audio signal detected by the microphone of the network device 1010 being substantially the same as the second audio signal detected by the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006. Thus, assuming that the acoustic characteristics of the playback device 1006 are known, the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device 1010 can be determined.

Assume that the second audio signal detected by the microphone 1008 is s (t), and that the acoustic characteristic of the microphone 1008 is h (t)_p(t), then the signal m (t) output from the microphone 1008 and processed to generate data indicative of the second audio signal may be mathematically represented as:

similarly, assume that the first audio signal detected by the microphone of network device 1010 is f (t), and the unknown acoustic characteristic of the microphone of network device 1010 is h_n(t), then the signal n (t) output from the microphone of the network device 1010 and processed to generate data indicative of the first audio signal may be mathematically represented as:

as described above, assuming that the first audio signal f (t) detected by the microphone of the network device 1010 is substantially the same as the second audio signal s (t) detected by the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006

Thus, due to the data n (t) indicative of the first audio signal, the data m (t) indicative of the second audio signal and the data h of the acoustic properties of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006_p(t) is known, so h can be calculated_n(t)。

In one example, the microphone calibration algorithm for the microphone of the network device 1010 may be only for the acoustic characteristic h_n(t) inversion is performed, which is denoted as h_n ^-1(t) of (d). Thus, applying the microphone calibration algorithm in processing the audio signal output by the microphone of the network device 1010 may mathematically remove the acoustic characteristics of the microphone of the network device 1010 from the output audio signal. Other examples are also possible.

In some cases, identifying the microphone calibration algorithm may include the network device 1010 sending data indicative of the first audio signal, data indicative of the second audio signal, and acoustic characteristics of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 to the computing device 1012. In one case, the data indicative of the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 may be provided to the computing device 1002 from the playback device 1006 and/or another device in communication with the computing device 1012. The computing device 1012 may then identify an audio processing algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal, the data indicative of the second audio signal, and the acoustic characteristics of the microphone 1008 of the playback device 1006 similar to that discussed above in connection with equations 5-7. The network device 1010 may then receive the identified audio processing algorithm from the computing device 1012.

At block 906, the method 900 includes applying a microphone calibration algorithm when performing a calibration function associated with the playback device. In one example, upon identifying the microphone calibration algorithm, the network device 1010 may apply the identified microphone calibration algorithm when performing the microphone related function. For example, a particular audio signal derived from an audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device 1010 may be processed using a microphone calibration algorithm to mathematically remove the acoustic characteristics of the microphone from the audio signal before the network device 1010 sends data indicative of the particular audio signal to another device. In one example, the microphone calibration algorithm may be applied when the network device 1010 performs calibration of the playback device as described above in connection with methods 500, 700, and 800.

In one example, network device 1010 may also store an association between the identified calibration algorithm (and/or acoustic characteristics) and one or more characteristics of a microphone of network device 1010 in a database. The one or more characteristics of the microphone of the network device 1010 may include a model of the network device 1010, a model of the microphone of the network device 1010, or the like. In one example, the database may be stored locally on the network device 1010. In another example, the database may be sent to and stored on another device, such as computing device 1012 or any one or more of playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006. Other examples are also possible.

The database may be populated with a plurality of entries of microphone calibration algorithms and/or associations between microphone calibration algorithms and one or more characteristics of microphones of the network device. As described above, the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 may be located within an acoustic test facility in which the network device microphones are calibrated. In this case, the database may be populated by calibration within the acoustic testing facility. In the case where the microphone calibration arrangement 1000 is located in a user's home where the user can calibrate the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 using the network device 1010, the database may be populated with microphone calibration algorithms from a multitude of sources. In some cases, the database may include entries generated from calibrations in an acoustic testing facility as well as entries from numerous sources.

The database may be accessed by other network devices, the computing device including computing device 1012, and the playback device including playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006 to identify an audio processing algorithm corresponding to a particular network device microphone for application when processing audio signals output from the particular network device microphone.

In some cases, the microphone calibration algorithms determined for the same model of network device or microphone may vary due to variations in production and manufacturing quality control of the microphone as well as variations during calibration (i.e., potential inconsistencies where the network device is placed during calibration, etc.). In this case, a representative microphone calibration algorithm may be determined from the varying microphone calibration algorithms. For example, a representative microphone calibration algorithm may be an average of varying microphone calibration algorithms. In one case, each time a calibration is performed for a microphone of a particular model of network device, the entry for the particular model of network device in the database may be updated with the updated representative calibration algorithm.

As described above, method 900 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by network device 1010. However, in some implementations, some of the functionality of the method 900 may be performed and/or coordinated by one or more other devices, including one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006, or the computing device 1012, among others. For example, blocks 902 and 908 may be performed by network device 1010, while in some cases, blocks 904 and 906 may be performed at least in part by computing device 1012. Other examples are also possible.

In some cases, network device 1010 may further coordinate and/or perform at least a portion of the functionality for calibrating a microphone of another network device. Other examples are also possible.

b.Second example method for calibrating a network device microphone

Fig. 11 illustrates an example flow diagram of a second method for calibrating a network device microphone. The method 1100 shown in fig. 11 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment that includes, for example, the media playback system 100 of fig. 1, the one or more playback devices 200 of fig. 2, the one or more control devices 300 of fig. 3, and the example arrangement of microphone calibration 1000 shown in fig. 10. The method 1100 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 1102-1108. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, the blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than described herein. Moreover, multiple blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed according to a desired implementation.

In one example, method 1100 may be performed, at least in part, by a computing device, such as computing device 1012 of fig. 10. As shown in fig. 11, method 1100 includes: at block 1102, receiving, from a network device, data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device; at block 1104, receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device; identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal at block 1106; and at block 1108, a microphone calibration algorithm is applied when performing calibration functions associated with the network device and the playback device.

At block 1102, the method 1100 includes: data is received from a network device indicating a first audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device. The data indicative of the first audio signal may also indicate that the first audio signal was detected by a microphone of the playback device when the network device was placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone. In one example, block 1102 of method 1100 may be substantially similar to block 902 of method 900, except that it is coordinated and/or performed by computing device 1012 instead of network device 1010. Nonetheless, any discussion related to block 902 and method 900 may also apply to block 1102, sometimes with modifications.

At block 1104, the method 1100 includes receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. In one example, block 1104 of method 1100 may be substantially similar to block 904 of method 900, except that it is coordinated and/or performed by computing device 1012 instead of network device 1010. Nonetheless, any discussion related to block 904 and method 900 may also apply to block 1104, sometimes with modifications.

At block 1106, the method 1100 includes identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal. In one example, block 1106 of method 1100 may be substantially similar to block 906 of method 900, except that it is coordinated and/or performed by computing device 1012 instead of network device 1010. Nonetheless, any discussion related to block 906 and method 900 may also apply to block 1106, with modifications at times.

At block 1108, the method 1100 includes applying a microphone calibration algorithm when performing calibration functions associated with the network device and the playback device. In one example, block 1108 of method 1100 may be substantially similar to block 908 of method 900, except that it is coordinated and/or performed by computing device 1012, rather than network device 1010. Nonetheless, block 906 and method 900 may also be applicable to block 1106, with modifications at times.

For example, in this case, rather than being applied by the computing device 1012 and received by the computing device 1012, the microphone calibration algorithm may be applied to microphone-detected audio signal data received by the computing device 1012 from the respective network device. In some cases, computing device 1012 may identify the respective network device that transmitted the audio signal data detected by the microphone and apply the respective microphone calibration algorithm to the data received from the respective network device.

As described in connection with method 900, the microphone calibration algorithm identified at block 1108 may also be stored in a database of microphone calibration algorithms and/or associations between microphone calibration algorithms and one or more characteristics of the respective network device and/or network device microphone.

Computing device 1012 may also be configured to coordinate and/or perform functions to calibrate microphones of other network devices. For example, method 1100 may also include: data is received from a second network device indicative of an audio signal detected by a microphone of the second network device when the second network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device. The data indicative of the detected audio signal may also indicate that the detected audio signal was detected by a microphone of the playback device when the second network device was placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone.

Based on the data indicative of the detected audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal, a second microphone calibration algorithm is identified and an association between the determined second microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the second network device is stored in a database. The computing device 1012 may also send data indicative of a second microphone calibration algorithm to the second network device.

As also described in connection with method 900, the microphone calibration algorithms determined for the same model of network device or microphone may vary due to variations in production and manufacturing quality control of the microphone, as well as variations during calibration (i.e., potential inconsistencies where the network device is placed during calibration, etc.). In this case, a representative microphone calibration algorithm may be determined from the varying microphone calibration algorithm. For example, a representative microphone calibration algorithm may be an average of varying microphone calibration algorithms. In one case, each time calibration is performed on a microphone of a particular model of network device, the entry for the particular model of network device in the database may be updated with an updated representative microphone calibration algorithm.

In one such case, for example, if the second network device is the same model as network device 1010 and has the same model microphone, method 1100 may further include: determining that the microphone of the network device 1010 and the microphone of the second network device are substantially the same; responsively determining a third microphone calibration algorithm based on the first microphone calibration algorithm (for the microphone of network device 1010) and the second microphone calibration algorithm; and storing an association between the determined third microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of the microphone of the network device 1010 in a database. As described above, the third microphone calibration algorithm may be determined as an average between the first microphone calibration algorithm and the second microphone calibration algorithm.

As described above, the method 1100 may be coordinated and/or performed, at least in part, by the computing device 1012. However, in some implementations, some functions of the method 1100 may be performed and/or coordinated by one or more other devices, including the network device 1010 and one or more of the playback devices 1002, 1004, and 1006, among others. For example, as described above, blocks 1102-1106 may be performed by computing device 1012, and in some cases, block 1108 may be performed by network device 1010. Other examples are also possible.

Conclusion V

The above description discloses, among other things, various example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including components, such as firmware and/or software, executed on hardware. It should be understood that these examples are illustrative only and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/or software aspects or components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

The following examples set forth additional or alternative aspects of the disclosure. The device in any of the following examples may be a component of any of the devices described herein or any configuration of the devices described herein.

(feature 1) a network device comprising:

a microphone; a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

detecting, by a microphone of the network device, a first audio signal when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device;

receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device;

identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and

the microphone calibration algorithm is applied when performing a calibration function associated with the playback device.

(feature 2) the network device of feature 1, wherein the functions further comprise storing an association between the determined microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the network device in a database.

(feature 3) the network device according to any one of features 1 and 2, wherein the microphone of the playback device detects the second audio signal when the microphone of the network device detects the first audio signal.

(feature 4) the network device of any one of features 1 to 3, wherein the functions further comprise causing one or more playback devices to play a third audio signal upon detecting the first audio signal, wherein the first audio signal and the second audio signal each include a portion corresponding to the third audio signal.

(feature 5) the network device of feature 4, wherein the one or more playback devices include the playback device.

(feature 6) the network device of any of features 1-5, wherein the functions further comprise receiving an input to calibrate a microphone of the network device prior to detecting the first audio signal.

(feature 7) the network device of any of features 1-6, wherein the functions further comprise, prior to detecting the first audio signal, providing a graphical representation on a graphical interface indicating that the network device is to be placed within a predetermined physical range of a microphone of the playback device.

(feature 8) the network device of any of features 1-7, wherein the functions further comprise determining that the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of a microphone of the playback device prior to detecting the first audio signal.

(feature 9) the network device of any of features 1 to 8, wherein identifying the microphone calibration algorithm comprises:

transmitting data indicative of the first audio signal to a computing device; and

receiving the microphone calibration algorithm from the computing device.

(feature 10) a computing device comprising:

a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

receiving, from a network device, data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone;

receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device;

identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and

the microphone calibration algorithm is applied when performing calibration functions associated with the network device and the playback device.

(feature 11) the computing device of feature 10, wherein the functions further comprise sending data indicative of the microphone calibration algorithm to the network device.

(feature 12) the computing device of any of features 10 and 11, wherein the functions further comprise storing an association between the determined microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the network device in a database.

(feature 13) the computing device of any of features 10-12, wherein the network device is a first network device, wherein the microphone calibration algorithm is a first microphone calibration algorithm, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving, from a second network device, data indicative of a third audio signal detected by a microphone of the second network device when the second network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone of the playback device;

identifying a second microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the third audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and

causing an association between the determined second microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the second network device to be stored in a database.

(feature 14) the computing device of feature 13, wherein the functions further comprise sending data indicative of the second microphone calibration algorithm to the second network device.

(feature 15) the computing device of any of features 13 and 14, wherein the functions further comprise:

determining that the microphone of the first network device and the microphone of the second network device are substantially the same;

responsively determining a third microphone calibration algorithm based on the first microphone calibration algorithm and the second microphone calibration algorithm; and

causing an association between the determined third microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of the microphone of the first network device to be stored in the database.

(feature 16) a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

receiving, from a network device, data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone;

receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device;

identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the first audio signal and the data indicative of the second audio signal; and

causing an association between the determined microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the network device to be stored in a database.

(feature 17) the non-transitory computer-readable medium of feature 16, wherein the functions further comprise transmitting data indicative of the microphone calibration algorithm to the network device.

(feature 18) the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of features 16 and 17, wherein receiving data indicative of the second audio signal detected by the microphone of the playback device includes receiving data indicative of the second audio signal detected by the microphone of the playback device from the playback device.

(feature 19) the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of features 16 to 18, wherein receiving data indicative of the second audio signal detected by the microphone of the playback device includes receiving data indicative of the second audio signal detected by the microphone of the playback device from the network device.

(feature 20) the non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of features 16-19, wherein the functions further comprise causing one or more playback devices to play a third audio signal prior to receiving the data indicative of the first audio signal, wherein the first audio signal includes a portion corresponding to the third audio signal.

(feature 21) a computing device comprising:

a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

identifying, within a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, acoustic characteristics of a microphone on a network device that correspond to particular characteristics of the network device; and

calibrating a playback device based on at least the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 22) the computing device of feature 1, wherein the functions further comprise maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics.

(feature 23) the computing device of any of features 21 and 22, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristics of the microphone comprises:

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of characteristics of the network device and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the network device; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 24) the computing device of any of features 21-23, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristics of the microphone comprises:

identifying a particular model of the microphone that corresponds to a characteristic of the network device;

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of the particular model of the microphone and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the particular model; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 25) the computing device of any of features 21-24, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises:

determining an audio processing algorithm based on the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone; and

causing the playback device to apply the audio processing algorithm while playing media content.

(feature 26) the computing device of feature 25, wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving (i) first data indicative of a first audio signal and (ii) second data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device when the playback device is playing the first audio signal, and

wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises:

the audio processing algorithm is also determined based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

(feature 27) the computing device of any of features 25 and 26, wherein the audio processing algorithm includes an inversion of the identified acoustic characteristic of the microphone, and wherein causing the playback device to apply the audio processing algorithm while playing media content includes modifying the played media content by an inverse function of the identified acoustic characteristic of the microphone.

(feature 28) a network device, comprising:

a microphone; a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

identifying, within a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, acoustic characteristics of the microphone that correspond to particular characteristics of the network device; and

calibrating a playback device based on at least the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 29) the network device of feature 28 wherein the functions further comprise maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics.

(feature 30) the network device of any of features 28 and 29, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristics of the microphone comprises:

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of characteristics of the network device and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the network device; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 31) the network device of any of features 28 to 30, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristics of the microphone comprises:

identifying a particular model of the microphone that corresponds to a characteristic of the network device;

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of the particular model of the microphone and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the particular model; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 32) the network device of any of features 28 to 31, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises:

determining an audio processing algorithm based on the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone; and

causing the playback device to apply the audio processing algorithm while playing media content.

(feature 33) the network device of feature 32, wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving (i) first data indicative of a first audio signal and (ii) second data indicative of a second audio signal detected by the microphone while the playback device is playing the first audio signal, and

wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises:

the audio processing algorithm is also determined based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

(feature 34) the network device of any of features 32 and 33, wherein the audio processing algorithm comprises an inversion of the identified acoustic characteristic of the microphone, and wherein causing the playback device to apply the audio processing algorithm while playing media content comprises modifying the played media content by an inverse function of the identified acoustic characteristic of the microphone.

(feature 35) a playback device comprising:

a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

identifying, within a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, acoustic characteristics of a microphone on a network device that correspond to particular characteristics of the network device; and

calibrating the playback device based on at least the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone. (feature 36) the playback device of feature 35, wherein the functions further comprise maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics.

(feature 37) the playback device of any one of features 35 and 36, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristic of the microphone comprises:

transmitting, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of characteristics of the playback device and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the playback device; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 38) the playback device of any of features 35 to 37, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristic of the microphone comprises:

identifying a particular model of the microphone that corresponds to a characteristic of the playback device;

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of the particular model of the microphone and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the particular model; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

(feature 39) the playback device of any of features 35 to 38, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises:

determining an audio processing algorithm based on the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone; and

the audio processing algorithm is applied while playing the media content.

(feature 40) the playback device of feature 39, wherein the functions further comprise:

playing the first audio signal;

receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device while playing the first audio signal, and

wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises:

the audio processing algorithm is also determined based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

In addition, the present invention may be configured as follows:

scheme 1. a method comprising:

identifying a microphone calibration algorithm based on:

first data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device when the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone;

second data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device; and

the microphone calibration algorithm is applied when performing a calibration function associated with the playback device.

Scheme 2. the method of scheme 1, further comprising storing an association between the determined microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the network device in a database.

Scheme 3. the method of scheme 1 or 2, wherein the microphone of the playback device detects the second audio signal when the microphone of the network device detects the first audio signal.

Scheme 4. the method of any of schemes 1-3, further comprising causing one or more playback devices to play a third audio signal upon detecting the first audio signal, wherein at least one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal includes a portion corresponding to the third audio signal.

Scheme 5. the method of scheme 4, wherein the one or more playback devices comprise the playback device.

Scheme 6. the method of any preceding scheme, further configured to, prior to detecting the first audio signal, at least one of:

receiving an input to calibrate a microphone of the network device;

cause a graphical representation to be provided on a graphical interface of the network device indicating that the network device is to be placed within a predetermined physical range of a microphone of the playback device; and

determining that the network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of a microphone of the playback device.

Scheme 7. the method of any preceding scheme, wherein identifying the microphone calibration algorithm comprises:

transmitting data indicative of the first audio signal to a computing device; and

receiving the microphone calibration algorithm from the computing device.

Scheme 8. the method according to any preceding scheme, wherein,

the network device is a first network device, wherein the microphone calibration algorithm is a first microphone calibration algorithm;

the method further comprises the following steps:

identifying a second microphone calibration algorithm based on the data indicative of the second audio signal and data received from a second network device indicative of a third audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device when the second network device is placed within a predetermined physical range of the microphone; and

causing an association between the determined second microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of a microphone of the second network device to be stored in a database.

Scheme 9. the method of scheme 8, further comprising transmitting data indicative of the second microphone calibration algorithm to the second network device.

Scheme 10. the method of scheme 8 or 9, further comprising:

determining that the microphone of the first network device and the microphone of the second network device are substantially the same;

responsively determining a third microphone calibration algorithm based on the first microphone calibration algorithm and the second microphone calibration algorithm; and

causing an association between the determined third microphone calibration algorithm and one or more characteristics of the microphone of the first network device to be stored in the database.

The method of any preceding aspect, wherein the data indicative of the second audio signal is received from one of:

the playback device; and

the network device.

Scheme 12. a network device or computing device configured to perform a method according to any preceding scheme.

Scheme 13. the computing device of scheme 12, further configured to receive data indicative of a first audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device and to receive data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device.

Scheme 14. the computing device of scheme 12 or 13, further configured to transmit data indicative of the microphone calibration algorithm to the network device.

Scheme 15. a method comprising:

identifying, within a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, an acoustic characteristic of a microphone on a network device, wherein the acoustic characteristic corresponds to a particular characteristic of the network device; and

calibrating a playback device based on at least the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

Scheme 16. the method of scheme 15, further comprising maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics.

The method of aspect 15 or 16, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristic of the microphone comprises:

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of characteristics of the network device and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the network device; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

Scheme 18. the method of one of schemes 15 to 17, wherein identifying the acoustic characteristics of the microphone comprises:

identifying a particular model of the microphone that corresponds to a characteristic of the network device;

sending, to a server maintaining a database of microphone acoustic characteristics, data indicative of the particular model of the microphone and a query for acoustic characteristics corresponding to the particular model; and

receiving data from the server indicating the queried acoustic characteristics of the microphone.

Scheme 19. the method of one of schemes 15 to 18, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises:

determining an audio processing algorithm based on the identified acoustic characteristics of the microphone; and

causing the playback device to apply the audio processing algorithm while playing media content.

Scheme 20. the method of scheme 19 in combination with one of schemes 1 to 14, further comprising:

receiving (i) first data indicative of a first audio signal played by the playback device and (ii) second data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the network device while the playback device is playing the first audio signal, and

wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises determining the audio processing algorithm further based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal.

Scheme 21. the method of scheme 19 or 20, wherein,

the audio processing algorithm comprises an inversion of the identified acoustic characteristic of the microphone; and

causing the playback device to apply the audio processing algorithm while playing media content includes modifying the played media content by an inverse function of the identified acoustic characteristic of the microphone.

Scheme 22. one of the following devices:

a computing device comprising a microphone and configured to perform the method of any of aspects 15-21;

a network device comprising a microphone and configured to perform the method of any of aspects 15-21; and

a playback device configured to perform the method of any of aspects 1-5 or 7.

Furthermore, references herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one example embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are different or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Likewise, those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

The description is presented primarily in terms of illustrative environments, systems, processes, steps, logic blocks, processes, and other symbolic representations that are directly or indirectly analogous to the operation of data processing devices coupled to a network. These process descriptions and representations are generally 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 disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without the specific 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. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description of the embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one unit in at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible, non-transitory medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.