Sonos, Inc.

Paul MacLean

Hilmar Lehnert

Aurelio Rafael Ramos

Chris Davies

Wulin Xia

Daniel Brim

Tristan Edward Taylor

Roberto Maria Dizon

Richard Jackson

Tristan Taylor

Anthony Ferraro

In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving audio content comprising left input channel signals and right input channel signals, and generating first and second input signals from the left and right input channel signals. The first input signal is based on a sum of the left and right input channel signals, and the second input signal is based on a difference of the left and right input channel signals. An array transfer function is applied to the first and second input signals to produce audio output signals, which can be provided to a plurality of audio transducers on one or more playback devices.

Sum-difference arrays for audio playback devices

Multichannel audio playback devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some examples, a first playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content comprising left, right and center input channels. In a first mode, the first playback device is configured to play back audio via a plurality of transducers based on the left, right, and center input channels. In a second mode, in which the first playback device is bonded to second and third playback devices, the first playback device is configured to (i) play back audio via the plurality of transducers based on at least the center input channel, (ii) cause audio to be played via the second playback device based on at least the right input channel, and (iii) cause audio to be played via the third playback device based on at least the left input channel.

Multichannel playback devices and associated systems and methods

Acoustic waveguides can be used to improve audio performance of playback devices, such as a soundbar. Such a playback device can include an elongated body defining an outer perimeter with a forward surface, an upper surface, and a rounded edge between the forward surface and the upper surface. An up-firing transducer is configured to direct sound along an axis that has a vertical oblique angle with respect to a forward axis. A waveguide in fluid communication with the up-firing transducer includes a sidewall extending circumferentially around the transducer, the sidewall having a first end adjacent the up-firing transducer and a second end adjacent the outer perimeter, such that an opening defined by the sidewall has a larger area at the second end than at the first end. A rear portion of the sidewall is more steeply angled with respect to the axis than a forward portion of the sidewall.

Acoustic waveguides for multi-channel playback devices

A method of playing back audio content with improved immersiveness can include receiving, at a playback device, audio input including vertical content having a high-frequency portion and a low-frequency portion. The playback device can face along a first sound axis and comprise an up-firing transducer configured to direct sound along a second sound axis that is vertically angled with respect to the primary sound axis and a side-firing transducer or array configured to direct sound along a third axis that is horizontally angled with respect to the first sound axis. The low-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the side-firing transducer or array, while the high-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the up-firing transducer.

Systems and methods of spatial audio playback with enhanced immersiveness

Systems and methods for providing augmented arrays for audio playback are disclosed. An example playback device includes a first transducer configured to output audio along a first acoustic axis and a second transducer configured to output audio along a second acoustic axis. The playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content including at least a first input channel and a second input channel. The device plays back first audio output via the first transducer based on the first input channel and directed along the first acoustic axis, and plays back second audio output via the second transducer based on the second input channel and directed along the second acoustic axis, wherein the second audio output at least partially cancels the first audio output along a first spatial region offset from the first acoustic axis.

Array augmentation for audio playback devices

A computing device is configured to (i) receive an indication of an operational limit of a given playback device, where the given playback device is included in a group of at least two playback devices that are configured for synchronous playback of audio content, (ii) receive a first audio signal for playback by the group of at least two playback devices, (iii) based on the operational limit of the given playback device, apply a filter to the first audio signal to generate a second audio signal, and (iv) transmit the second audio signal to at least the given playback device for synchronous playback by the group of at least two playback devices.

Audio signal limiter

Systems and methods of distributing and playing back low-frequency audio content

An audio transducer includes a frame, a magnet coupled to the frame, and a voice coil axially aligned with the magnet. The voice coil can be configured to receive a flow of electric signals from an amplifier, and, in response to the received flow of electric signals, correspondingly move a diaphragm toward or away from the magnet. The audio transducer can further include a collar coupled to the voice coil. The collar can have a flange extending radially outwardly from the voice coil. The audio transducer can further include a spider having a radially outer portion coupled to the frame and a radially inner portion coupled to the flange of the collar.

Playback devices having enhanced spider coupling portions

In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving audio content comprising left input channel signals and right input channel signals, and generating first and second input signals from the left and right input channel signals. The first input signal is based on a sum of the left and right input channel signals, and the second input signal is based on a difference of the left and right input channel signals. An array transfer function is applied to the first and second input signals to produced audio output signals, which can be provided to a plurality of audio transducers on one or more playback devices.

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Quincy, MA, United States of America

Paul MacLean