Eva Automation, Inc.

B&w Group Ltd.

Steven Stupp

Gaylord Yu

An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between transmit times of frames from the electronic devices and receive times when the frames were received. For example, the current time offsets may be calculated using wireless ranging by ignoring distances between the A/V hub and the electronic devices. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets. Furthermore, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.

Wireless coordination of audio sources

An audio/video (A/V) hub that selectively determines one or more acoustic characteristics of an environment that includes the A/V hub is described. In particular, the A/V hub may detect, using wireless communication, an electronic device (such as a speaker) in the environment. Then, the A/V hub may determine a change condition, such as when the electronic device was not previously detected in the environment and/or a change in a location of the electronic device. In response to determining the change condition, the A/V hub may transition into a characterization mode. During the characterization mode, the A/V hub may: provide instructions to the electronic device to playback audio content at a specified playback time; determine one or more acoustic characteristics of the environment based on acoustic measurements in the environment; and store the one or more acoustic characteristics and/or a location of the electronic device in memory.

Environmental characterization based on a change condition

An audio/video (A/V) hub that aggregates electronic devices is described. In particular, the A/V hub may measure sound, corresponding to audio content, output by electronic devices (such as electronic devices that include speakers). Then, the A/V hub may aggregate the electronic devices into two or more subsets based on the measured sound. Moreover, the A/V hub may determine, for the subsets, playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices in a given subset are to playback the audio content. Next, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include the audio content and playback timing information, where the playback times of the electronic devices in at least the given subset have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices in the given subset is coordinated.

Aggregation of devices based on acoustic monitoring

An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices (such as electronic devices that include speakers) and a clock in the A/V hub based on measured sound corresponding to one or more acoustic-characterization patterns, one or more times when the electronic devices output the sound and the one or more acoustic-characterization patterns. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets. Moreover, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.

Acoustic coordination of audio sources

An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between receive times when frames are received from electronic devices and expected transmit times of the frames. For example, the expected transmit times may be based on coordination of clocks in the electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub at a previous time and a predefined transmit schedule of the frames. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets.

Schedule-based coordination of audio sources

An audio/video (A/V) hub that calculates an estimated location is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate an estimated location of a listener relative to electronic devices (such as electronic devices that include speakers) in an environment that includes the A/V hub and the electronic devices based on: communication with another electronic device; sound measurements in the environment; and/or time-of-flight measurements. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the estimated location. Moreover, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.

Coordination of acoustic sources based on location

An audio/video (A/V) hub may measure the sound, corresponding to audio content, output by electronic devices. Then, the A/V hub may compare the measured sound to a desired acoustic characteristic at a first location in the environment based on the first location, a second location of the A/V hub, and an acoustic transfer function of the environment in at least a band of frequencies. For example, the comparison may involve calculating the acoustic transfer function at the first location based on the acoustic transfer function at other locations in the environment and correcting the measured sound based on the calculated the acoustic transfer function at the first location. Moreover, the A/V hub may determine equalized audio content based on the comparison and the audio content.

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Foster City, CA, United States of America

Steven Stupp