U.S. patent application number 15/366810 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-23 for wireless speaker system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harman International Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark FISHER, James GARRETT, Armando MARTINEZ, An NGUYEN.
Application Number | 20170083284 15/366810 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53879413 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170083284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FISHER; Mark ; et
al. |
March 23, 2017 |
WIRELESS SPEAKER SYSTEM
Abstract
A wireless speaker system may include a primary speaker
including a first transceiver and a second transceiver and
programmed to receive audio data from a mobile device at the first
transceiver, and at least one secondary speaker including a
receiver and programmed to receive a wireless signal including the
audio data from the primary speaker at the receiver, each speaker
configured to transmit audio signals consistently there between
based on the received audio data.
Inventors: |
FISHER; Mark; (Sherman Oaks,
CA) ; GARRETT; James; (Simi Valley, CA) ;
MARTINEZ; Armando; (Castaic, CA) ; NGUYEN; An;
(West Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harman International Industries, Inc. |
Stamford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53879413 |
Appl. No.: |
15/366810 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14471482 |
Aug 28, 2014 |
9544689 |
|
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15366810 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 2420/07 20130101;
G06F 3/165 20130101; H04R 3/12 20130101; H04R 2420/01 20130101;
H04W 4/80 20180201; H04R 5/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/16 20060101
G06F003/16; H04W 4/00 20060101 H04W004/00; H04R 3/12 20060101
H04R003/12 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for a wireless speaker system, comprising: a
primary speaker, including: a first transceiver configured to
receive a first wireless signal from a mobile device via a first
interface over a first frequency band, the first wireless signal
including audio data; a second transceiver configured to receive
enrollment data from at least one secondary speaker and to transmit
a second wireless signal including the audio data via a second
interface over a second frequency band in response to receiving
enrollment data from the at least one secondary speaker; and
wherein the primary speaker is configured to playback an audio
signal based on the received audio data.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second transceiver is
configured to pair with the at least one secondary speaker via the
second interface based on the enrollment data received from the at
least one secondary speaker.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enrollment data is
received over a third frequency band separate and distinct from the
first and second frequency bands.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the third frequency band is an
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enrollment data includes a
predefined frequency of the second frequency band.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second wireless signal
includes at least one of volume data, feedback data, and a
predefined frequency for the second frequency band.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mode switch for
switching between a primary mode where the first transceiver is
configured to receive the audio data from the mobile device and a
secondary mode where the second transceiver is configured to
receive the audio data from the at least one secondary speaker.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first transceiver is
configured to communicate with the mobile device when operating in
the primary mode and wherein the first transceiver is configured to
cease communication with the mobile device when operating in the
secondary mode.
9. A speaker system, comprising: a primary speaker including at
least one controller programmed to: transmit enrollment data to a
secondary speaker; receive a response from the secondary speaker;
receive audio data from a mobile device over a first interface;
transmit the received audio data to the secondary speaker over a
second interface; and transmit, concurrently with audio playback at
the secondary speaker based on the transmitted audio data, an audio
signal based on the received audio data from the mobile device.
10. The speaker system of claim 9, wherein the controller is
further programmed to store a unique identifier specific to the
secondary speaker included in the enrollment data.
11. The speaker system of claim 9, wherein the controller is
further programmed to transmit the enrollment data over a frequency
band separate and distinct from bands used for the first and second
interfaces.
12. The speaker system of claim 11, wherein the frequency band is
an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band.
13. The speaker system of claim 9, wherein the controller is
further programmed to transmit additional data including at least
one of volume data, feedback data, and a predefined frequency over
the second interface to the secondary speaker.
14. A wireless speaker system comprising: a primary speaker
including a first transceiver and a second transceiver, the first
transceiver programmed to receive audio data from a mobile device
over a first frequency band; and at least one secondary speaker
including a receiver and programmed to receive a wireless signal
including the audio data from the primary speaker over a second
frequency band, each speaker configured to playback audio signals
consistently there between based on the received audio data,
wherein an exchange of enrollment data is transmitted between the
primary and secondary speakers prior to transmission of the audio
data.
15. The wireless speaker system of claim 14, wherein the wireless
signal includes at least one of volume data, feedback data, and a
predefined frequency for the second frequency band.
16. The wireless speaker system of claim 14, wherein the at least
one secondary speaker is configured to pair with the primary
speaker in response to an exchange of enrollment data
therebetween.
17. The wireless speaker system of claim 14, wherein the primary
speaker includes a mode switch for instructing the primary speaker
to operate in a primary mode where the primary speaker receives the
audio data from the mobile device and a secondary mode where the
primary speaker receives the audio data from another primary
speaker.
18. The wireless speaker system of claim 17, wherein the primary
speaker is configured to communicate with the mobile device when
operating in the primary mode and to cease communication with the
mobile device when operating in the secondary mode.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/471,482 filed Aug. 28, 2014, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Described herein is a wireless speaker system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Loudspeakers are used to emit sound based on an audio input
signal. The audio input signals may be supplied from any number of
sources and may be in any number of forms (e.g., electronic files
such as .wav, .mp3, etc.). Often times, multiple loudspeakers may
be desired to allow sounds to reach across a large physical area.
For example, multiple speakers may be used so that sound can be
heard throughout a large room or auditorium, or across a large
outdoor area such as an outdoor patio, pool area, etc. Existing
systems, however, require the speakers to be tethered together by a
wire.
SUMMARY
[0004] A wireless speaker system may include a primary speaker
including a first transceiver and a second transceiver and
programmed to receive audio data from a user device at the first
transceiver, and at least one secondary speaker including a
receiver and programmed to receive a wireless signal including the
audio data from the primary speaker at the receiver, each speaker
configured to transmit audio signals consistently there between
based on the received audio data.
[0005] A speaker for a wireless speaker system may include a
receiver configured to receive a first wireless signal from a user
device, the wireless signal including audio data, a transmitter
configured to transmit another second wireless signal including the
received audio data; and a transducer configured to transmit an
audio signal based on the received audio data.
[0006] A speaker system may include a primary speaker including at
least one controller programmed to transmit enrollment data to a
secondary speaker, receive audio data from a user device over a
first interface, transmit the received audio data to the secondary
speaker over a second interface, and transmit, concurrently with
audio emissions at the secondary speaker based on the transmitted
audio data, an audio signal based on the received data from the
user device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out
with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features
of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be
best understood by referring to the following detailed description
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a speaker system in accordance with one
embodiment;
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates a speaker within the speaker
system in accordance with one embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a speaker's components
in accordance with one embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram for the operation of the
speaker system;
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for pairing a speaker
pair; and
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for pairing an additional
speaker set to the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0015] Disclosed herein is an active wireless speaker system
including primary and secondary loudspeakers that are configured to
play audio signals. A primary speaker may communicate with a user
device via a first communication interface to receive audio data
indicative of a sound file. The primary speaker may then transmit
the audio data to at least one other secondary speaker via a second
communication interface. The primary speaker and the secondary
speaker may transmit sound based on transmitted audio data in
tandem. Thus, several speakers may play audio content across a wide
area. Additionally, each of the speakers may be programmed to
transmit and/or receive data at a predefined frequency, thus
creating user friendly, portable, wireless speaker system. The
speakers may be weather and water resistant so as to be used both
indoors and out. Additionally, the speakers may include a
rechargeable power supply so that the system may be used even
without access to an external power supply.
[0016] Because the speakers are extremely durable and weather and
water resistant, the speakers may be easily transported to various
destinations and environments. The speaker system may be used with
a variety of applications, including home audio systems, audio for
video system (i.e., TV surround sound), computer and gaming
systems, mobile devices, outdoor use including patio, camping,
pool, beach, and other uses. Each of the speakers may play left or
right channel content, as well as both left and right channel
content. Furthermore, speakers may be added to the system in pairs
so that each speaker within the system plays consistent sound
across a large area.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a speaker system 100 including at least one
primary speaker 105 and at least one secondary speaker 110 (shown
in FIG. 1 as secondary speakers 110A, 110B and 110C) in accordance
to one embodiment. The speakers 105, 110 may be portable speakers
having a weatherized design for use both indoors and outdoors. The
speakers 105, 110 may each include a transceiver, or other
communication component, configured to transmit and/or receive
wireless signals. The speakers 105, 110 are described in more
detail below with respect to FIG. 2. The user device 120 may be a
device capable of maintaining media content such as audio data or
sound files, MP3's, etc., and may also be capable of streaming data
including audio and/or video content. The user device 120 may be
configured to transmit the content to the speakers 105, 110. A user
device 120 may transmit wireless signals for audio data to the
speakers 105. For example, the user device 120 may include a
processor and a memory and may maintain a database of sound files.
The sound files may be organized into various playlists.
[0018] The user device 120 may communicate with the primary speaker
105 over a first interface 115. The first interface 115 may be a
wireless communication interface or wireless network, such as
BLUETOOTH.TM.. The first interface 115 may also be other wireless
networks such as Wi-Fi, Local Area Network, etc. Prior to the user
device 120 communicating the audio data to the primary speaker 105,
the user device 120 may undergo an associating/pairing operation
with the primary speaker 105.
[0019] The primary speaker 105 may communicate with each of the
secondary speakers 110 via a second interface 117. The second
interface 117 may be a separate wireless communication interface
from the first interface 115 such as radio. Data may be transmitted
over the second interface 117 at a predefined frequency between the
speakers 105, 110.
[0020] While FIG. 1 illustrates a single primary speaker 105 and
three secondary speakers 110A, 110B 110C, the speakers may be
recognized as being part of a pair. For example, as shown in FIG.
1, the primary speaker 105 and a secondary speaker 110A, may form a
speaker pair, and a secondary speaker 110B and a secondary speaker
110C may form a another speaker pair. Thus, the system may include
a primary speaker pair and a secondary speaker pair. Although two
pairs are shown in FIG. 1, additional pairs may be added to the
speaker system 100. Additionally or alternatively, single speakers
110 may also be added to the system.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the primary speaker 105 of
FIG. 1 is shown in more detail. While FIGS. 2A and 2B show a
primary speaker 105, similar features may also be included in the
secondary speakers 110. The speakers 105, 110 may be an outdoor, or
all-weather speaker, that is both weather and water resistant. The
speakers 105, 110 form a cube-like shape and may have a height of,
for example, approximately 236 mm, a width of approximately 164 mm
and a depth of approximately 141 mm. The speakers 105, 110 may also
form other shapes including spherical, conical, or any other shape
specific to an implementation of the embodiments disclosed herein.
The speakers 105, 110 may each include a transducer with up to, for
example, approximately 100 Watts of power output and a large sound
pressure level. Various other power levels may be accommodated such
as approximately 3-500 Watts. The speaker 105 may include a
portable power supply (not shown) such as a battery for providing
power to the speaker components. The power supply may be a
rechargeable battery. The battery may be an internal and/or
external battery. The power supply may provide power to the speaker
105 for up to at least approximately 10 hours of playtime.
[0022] It is recognized that the battery may be charged via an
external charge source such as a 2V-5 A external charger at a
charge port 150 (shown in FIG. 2B). The battery may also be
removable from the speaker and charged at a charge base external to
the speaker 105. Additionally or alternatively, wireless charging
systems may be used to the charge the battery both internal and
external to the speaker 105. In other examples, the external charge
source may also be another source such as an AC/DC, solar, kinetic,
wireless, USB, etc.
[0023] FIG. 2B shows a second, or rear, side of the primary speaker
105. While FIG. 2B is described as referring to the primary speaker
105, it is recognized that the secondary speaker 110 may include
similar components of the primary speakers 105 in accordance with
those illustrated in FIG. 2B. The speaker 105 may include a power
button 140 to turn the power of the speaker on and off. The power
button 140 may also trigger communication between speakers 105, 110
in order to pair, or synchronize, the speakers, as described below.
The speaker 105 may include at least one charge port 145, 150 for
receiving a charge connection such as an alternating current (AC)
input 145. The charge port may also be a universal serial port
(USB) port 150, or other suitable port type. The speaker 105 may be
charged both during use and during non-use. The speaker 105 may
also include an auxiliary port 148 (e.g., a 3.5 mm male mini-jack
input) for additional audio sources. Several switches may also be
available such as a stereo or summed mono switch 155 and a boundary
gain switch 165. Primary speakers 105 may include a mode switch 158
for switching between a primary mode (where the speaker performs as
a primary speaker communicating with the user device 120 via the
first interface 115) and a secondary mode (where the speaker
performs as a secondary speaker communicating with another, primary
speaker via a second interface 117). The switch 158 may be a
separate switch as shown in FIG. 2B. The switch 158 may be any type
of switch such as a button, sliding switch, toggle, etc. The switch
158 may, additionally or alternatively, also be included in the
display interface 125. A portion of the rear side may be formed of
rubber so as to provide a barrier between the speaker 105 and a
wall if the speaker is mounted to a wall or other vertical surface.
For vertical mounting, the speaker 105 may include a standard
threaded insert 170. Further, for easy transport, a bass port 175
may be formed within a rear of the speaker 105 that may also serve
as a handle.
[0024] An interface 125, as shown in FIG. 2A, may include a
plurality of indicators or icons for communicating the status to a
user. The interface 125 may include a power indicator 180, which
may include backlit illumination via a light emitting diode (LED).
The interface 125 may also have volume buttons 185 for adjusting or
controlling an output volume of the speakers 105, 110, as well as
other playback buttons 200 which may include, for example, each of
a forward, rewind, play and pause button. The interface 125 may
also include a battery state of charge (SOC) indicator 190 to
illustrate the charge level of the battery. This indicator 190 may
include a plurality of LEDs. As the state of charge decreases, one
or more of the plurality of LEDs may be disabled. Conversely, a
fully charged battery may result in all of the plurality of LEDs
being activated or enabled (i.e., becoming illuminated). That is, a
fully charged battery may result in all of the LEDs being lit,
while a nearly depleted battery may result in only one LED being
lit. If the speaker 105, 110 is turned off, none of the LEDs may be
lit. Although not shown, other indicators may be used to show the
relative state of charge, such as a battery symbol, a clock symbol,
etc. Further, the interface 125 may include a network indicator
195, such as a BLUETOOTH.TM. icon, that may be illuminated when the
speaker 105 is in communication with the user device 120. The
network indicator 195 may also be a depressible switch, similar to
the power and volume buttons 185, such that a depression of the
button may initiate pairing with the user device 120. Additionally
or alternatively, the pairing may be initiated upon power up of the
speaker 105 (e.g., the power button 140 has been activated).
Pairing may include establishing the predefined frequency for the
second interface 117. Once paired, speakers may communicate with
each other over the predefined frequency. This is described in more
detail below with respect to FIGS. 5-7.
[0025] The display interface 125 may be any type of display such as
an LED screen, or an organic LED (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal
display (LCD) screen, a rubberized backlit screen, plasma display
panel, etc. The display interface 125 may be integrated within the
primary speaker 105, as shown in FIG. 2A. The display interface 125
may also be a separate device.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of components of the primary
speaker 105. As explained, the primary speaker 105 may include an
interface 125. The primary speaker 105 may also include a first
transceiver 130 and a second transceiver 135. The interface 125,
first transceiver 130 and second transceiver 135 may each be
coupled to or in communication with a controller 160.
[0027] The transceivers 130, 135 may be a radio frequency (RF)
module configured to transmit and receive data. In another example,
the first transceiver 130 may be a BLUETOOTH.TM. module configured
to communicate with the user device 120 using a wireless standard
such as, but not limited to, a BLUETOOTH.TM. communication
protocol, BLUETOOTH Smart.RTM., and/or near field communication
protocols. Once the primary speaker 105 and the user device 120 are
paired, the user device 120 and the first transceiver 130 may
exchange information or data using Bluetooth.TM.. Thus, audio data
from the user device 120 may be transmitted to the primary speaker
105. The first transceiver 130 may also be another type of radio
frequency transceivers such as a Zigbee.TM. transceiver, or
Wi-Fi.TM. modules.
[0028] The controller 160 may maintain device data for each user
device 120 in memory that may be paired with the first transceiver
130. Upon re-connect, the controller 160 may recall the device data
for the particular user device 120 in response to identifying
information provided by the particular user device. Further, upon
receiving pairing data from the user device 120, the controller 160
may automatically wake the speaker 105 and begin pairing. The
speaker 105 may also be activated in response to an auxiliary input
at the auxiliary port 148 receiving an auxiliary input.
[0029] The second transceiver 135 may be an RF transceiver
configured to receive and/or transmit data. In the example of FIG.
1, both the primary speaker 105 and the secondary speakers 110 may
include a second transceiver 135. The second transceiver 135 of the
primary speaker 105 may be instructed by the controller 160 to
transmit the audio data. The second transceivers 135 within each of
the secondary speakers 110 may be configured to receive the audio
data transmitted from the primary speaker 105 over the second
interface 117. The secondary speakers 110 may then play the audio
of the received audio data. Thus, the user device 120 may transmit
the audio data to the primary speaker 105 via the first interface
115 and the primary speaker 105 may in turn transmit the audio data
to the secondary speakers 110 via the second interface 117.
[0030] The second transceiver 135 may be programmed to transmit and
receive audio data at a specific, predefined frequency or frequency
range. Each of the primary and secondary speakers 110 within a
system 100 may be programmed at the same frequency. Thus, when the
primary speaker 105 transmits audio data at the predefined
frequency, each secondary speaker 110 associated with the primary
speaker 105 may receive the audio data and in turn emit an audio
signal indicative of the data. In the example of FIG. 1, all four
speakers 105, 110 may have a second transceiver 135 programmed at
the same predefined frequency. Thus, multiple secondary speakers
110 may be in communication with a single primary speaker 105.
[0031] Because the speakers 105, 110 may be pre-programmed with a
predefined frequency, upon setup of the system 100, the speakers
105, 110 may automatically pair. That is, once the speakers 105,
110 are placed in their desired location and the power has been
turned on, the transceivers 135 therein may automatically transmit
and listen for signals at the predefined frequencies. Thus, very
little know-how or setup is required of the user. Further, little
to no interference will be recognized because of the predefined
frequency. While secondary speakers 110 may be associated with a
primary speaker during manufacturing and packaging, secondary
speakers 110 may also undergo an association process so that a
single secondary speaker 110 may be paired with another speaker or
speakers. This is described in more detail below with respect to
FIG. 6.
[0032] While the transceivers 130, 135 are described herein as
such, the transceivers 130, 135 may also include separate devices
for transmitting and receiving RF signals, such as a
transmitter-receiver. Moreover, in some examples, and to simplify a
design, the transceivers 130, 135 may function and include only a
receiver or transmitter. For example, it may not be necessary for
each speaker 105, 110 to both transmit and receive data. The
primary speaker 105 may only need to transmit the audio data to the
secondary speakers 110. Thus, the second transceiver 135 of the
primary speaker 105 may be a transmitter. Similarly, the secondary
speakers 110 may only need to receive data, not transmit it, and
thus the second transceiver 135 at the secondary speakers 110 may
be a receiver or antenna.
[0033] The controller 160 may include a processor and a memory and
may communicate with the interface 125 and transceivers 130, 135.
The controller 160 may maintain data received from the transceivers
130, 135, as well as other data such as volume data, feedback data,
speaker specific data including the predefined frequency, battery
state of charge, etc. The controller 160 may be responsible for
certain signal processing including feedback suppression, and other
acoustic manipulation and adjustment of the audio data. The
controller may receive the audio data from the user device 120 and
may in turn instruct the second transceiver 135 to transmit the
audio data. The audio data may include stereophonic sound, or
stereo sound, such that both a left and right channel content are
included in the data and played by each speaker. Accordingly,
consistent sound between the speakers 105, 110 may be achieved over
a wide area.
[0034] The second transceiver 135 at the primary speaker 105 may
also transmit other playback data including the volume data and
feedback data maintained by the controller 160. By transmitting the
playback data, the secondary speakers 110 may be synced with the
primary speaker 105 such that each speaker may maintain the same
volume level. Additionally or alternatively, each speaker 105, 110
may have an override volume wherein each speaker volume may be
adjusted individually. This override volume may be adjusted by a
manual button on each speaker (not shown) or an interface on each
speaker (similar to interface 125 but not shown on secondary
speakers 110).
[0035] Volume data may also be received via the first interface 115
from the user device 120. The user device 120 may include volume
buttons 185 and controls that may also be used to wirelessly adjust
the volume of the speakers 105, 110. Once such volume data is
received, the primary speakers 105 may transmit the data to the
other secondary speakers 110 over the second interface 117.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for the operation of the speaker
system 100. The process 400 begins at block 405 where the primary
speaker 105 is activated. The primary speaker 105 may be activated
in response to the power button 140 on the primary speaker 105
being selected. Additionally or alternatively, the primary speaker
105 may be activated in response to the first transceiver 130
detecting the presence of a wireless device, e.g., a BLUETOOTH.TM.
enabled device, such as the user device 120. This detection may
include the transceiver 130 receiving a signal from the user device
120. The primary speaker 105 may also be activated in response to a
detected auxiliary input.
[0037] At block 410, the first transceiver 130 may transmit a
request signal to the user device 120. The request signal may be
received by the user device 120 and may include a speaker
identifier such as a frequency range.
[0038] At block 415, the first transceiver 130 may receive a
response signal from the user device 120. The response signal may
validate the primary speaker 105 based on the request signal and
may create a wireless network between the user device 120 and the
first transceiver 130. The network may be a BLUETOOTH.TM.
network.
[0039] At block 420, once the network has been created, the first
transceiver 130 may receive audio data from the user device 120.
The audio data may be data indicative of various audio content such
as sound files. Additionally or alternatively, other data such as
volume data may be transmitted within or along-side the audio
data.
[0040] At block 425, the controller 160 may instruct second
transceiver 135 at the primary speaker 105 to transmit the audio
data at the predefined frequency. The volume data may also be
transmitted from the second transceiver 135. The audio data may in
turn be received at the second transceivers 135 of the secondary
speakers 110 and the controller 160 within the secondary speaker
110 may in turn emit audio signals (e.g., play the sound file.)
Each secondary speaker 110 and primary speaker 105 may play the
sound file concurrently.
[0041] Thus, the audio data may be transmitted to the speaker
system 100 via the first interface 115 and in turn the primary
speaker 105 may transmit the audio data to the secondary speakers
110 over the second interfaces 117. By transmitting the audio data
between second transceivers 135 at a predefined frequency, the
speaker system 100 may be easily set up by users. The users may
simply place the speakers in the desired locations, turn each
speaker on by depressing the power button 140, and the secondary
speakers 110 may automatically pair with the primary speaker 105,
after a manual connection.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for pairing a speaker pair (e.g.,
speakers 105 and 110A). Block 505 may represent the primary speaker
105 and block 510 may represent the secondary speaker 110A, each in
a standby mode. The primary speaker 105 may be considered the
source speaker while the secondary speaker 110A may be considered
the sink speaker. Upon pressing the power button 140 on each of the
speakers 105, 110A, each speaker may enter an idle mode, as
indicated in block 515 and 520. The buttons 140 may be depressed
simultaneously with each other, or independently and
non-concurrently with each other. That is, the button 140 on the
primary speaker 105 may be pressed, and later, the button 140 on
the secondary speaker 110A may be pressed. The process may operate
similarly, regardless of the order that the buttons 140 on each
speaker 105, 110 is depressed. At blocks 525 and 530, the speakers
105, 110A may enter an enrollment state. During the enrollment
state, the speakers 105, 110A may attempt to communicate with each
other by transmitting and/or receiving data. For example, the
primary speaker 105, upon power-up, may initiate transmission of
certain request signals. The request signals may be transmitted via
the transmitter/antenna. The secondary speaker 110A may receive the
request and return a response. Upon receiving the response, the
primary speaker 105 may recognize the secondary speaker 110A by
response data included in the response. The request and responses
may be transmitted over industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)
radio bands. These bands may operate, for example, between 2.4 and
900 GHz. Other short range, low power communication protocols such
as near field communication, BLUETOOTH.TM., etc., could also be
used by the speakers 105, 110A. The secondary interface 117 may
also be used for pairing the speakers 105, 110A, although in the
examples described herein, another protocol is used to transmit
enrollment data not associated with audio playback. The enrollment
data may include the predefined frequency, as well as an identifier
unique to each speaker.
[0043] If the speakers 105, 110A exchange data, the process
proceeds to blocks 535 and 540. If not, the primary speaker 105
continues to attempt to communicate with the secondary speaker
110A.
[0044] At blocks 535 and 540, once the enrollment data has been
exchanged, the primary speaker 105 may transmit audio data to the
secondary speaker 110A via the second interface 117.
[0045] The primary speaker 110 may continue to transmit audio data
for playback by both speakers 110A until one of the speakers 105,
110A is turned off moved out of range of the other speaker. Because
the pairing of the speakers 105, 110A is initiated upon power-up of
the speakers, the speakers are easily paired without undue
interference or interaction with the user.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for pairing another speaker set to
the system 100 (e.g., adding speakers 110B and 110C to the already
pair speakers 105, 110A). In this example, the second speaker set
110B and 110C may include a primary speaker (e.g., 110B) and a
secondary speaker (e.g., 110C). In other examples, another
secondary speaker may be paired with the first pair (e.g., speakers
105, 110A) without a corresponding primary speaker. That is, a
single speaker may be added to an existing set of speakers.
[0047] The primary speaker 105 of the first set and the primary
speaker 110B of the second set may both be considered source
speakers. Each of the speakers 105, 110B may be in an idle state at
blocks 605 and 610. As explained above, primary speakers may
include the mode switch on the rear panel of the speaker. The
speakers may switch from a primary mode to a secondary mode. That
is, in one situation, the primary speaker may perform as a primary
speaker, receiving data via the first interface 115 and
transmitting the audio data to the other speakers via the second
interface 117. In another situation, the primary speaker may
perform as a secondary speaker and receive the audio data from
another primary speaker over the second interface 117. In order to
pair another primary speaker (e.g., speaker 110B in this example)
to another speaker set, one of the primary speakers 105, 110B must
be switched to the secondary mode. In this example, by switching
the speaker 110B to the secondary mode, the speaker may turn off
communication with the first interface 115. That is, the speaker
110B may not communicate with the user device 120.
[0048] Referring to block 615, once the mode of speaker 110B has
been switched over to perform as a secondary speaker 110B, the
speaker 110B may be considered a sink speaker, similar to speaker
110A described in block 510 of FIG. 5. When adding speakers to an
already paired speaker set, the pairing may be initiated in
response to the power button 140 being held down for a
predetermined increment. In this example, the increment may be
approximately 3 seconds. This may ensure that the primary speaker
105 recognizes the difference between a request for additional
pairing and a request for power down (e.g., shut off of the
speaker).
[0049] At blocks 620 and 625 the speakers 105, 110B may enter an
association state. The association state may be similar to the
enrollment state described above with respect to blocks 525 and 530
of FIG. 5. In addition to receiving enrollment data, the primary
speaker 105 may receive a unique identifier of the secondary
speaker 110B as well as a unique identifier of other speaker that
the speaker 110B was previously paired with, if any. For example, a
unique identifier for the secondary speaker 110C may be
transmitted. This may permit both speakers 110B and 110C to be
paired concurrently, without the secondary speaker 110C having to
communicate directly with the primary speaker 105 during the
association state.
[0050] Further, the secondary speaker 110B may receive the unique
identifier of the primary speaker 105. Once the identifiers and
enrollment data are exchanged, the process may proceed to blocks
630 and 635 and the primary speaker 105 may transmit audio data the
newly paired secondary speaker 110B via the second interface
117.
[0051] If enrollment data and/or a unique identifier are not
received from the secondary speaker 110B within a predefined time
period, for example, within 10 seconds, the primary speaker 105 may
exit the association state. Likewise, if a unique identifier of the
primary speaker 105 is not received by the secondary speaker 110B
within a predefined time period, the secondary speaker may exit the
association state.
[0052] Computing devices described herein generally include
computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be
executable by one or more computing devices such as those listed
above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or
interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of
programming languages and/or technologies, including, without
limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java.TM., C, C++,
Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc. In general, a processor
(e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a
memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these
instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including
one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions
and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of
computer-readable media.
[0053] With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics,
etc., described herein, it should be understood that, although the
steps of such processes, etc., have been described as occurring
according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be
practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than
the order described herein. It further should be understood that
certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps
could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be
omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are
provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and
should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.
[0054] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
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