# US 12,009,602 B2 · Frequency routing based on orientation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,009,602 B2 - Document ID: US12009602B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/930,315 - Filed: 2022-09-07 - Published: 2023-04-27 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-19 - Assignees: Sonos, Inc. - Applicants: Sonos, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher Kallai; Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson; Jonathan P. Lang; Craig Wisneski; Jonathon Reilly; Seamus Daly; Todd Mansfield - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009602B2 ## CPC - H01Q 3/24: varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching - G06F 3/162: {Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs} - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - H03G 5/165: {Equalizers; Volume or gain control in limited frequency bands} - H04B 7/0834: {based on external parameters, e.g. subscriber speed or location} - H04R 3/04: for correcting frequency response - H04R 3/12: for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers {(specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} - H04R 29/007: {for public address systems (public address systems per se H04R27/00)} - H04S 7/302: {Electronic adaptation of stereophonic sound system to listener position or orientation (H04S7/301 takes precedence)} - H04S 7/303: {Tracking of listener position or orientation} - H04R 2227/003: Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet - H04R 2227/005: Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use - H04S 7/307: {Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control (H04S7/301 takes precedence)} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H03G: CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H04S: STEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS ## Abstract Systems, methods, and apparatus for frequency routing based on orientation are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a playback device, an audio data stream. The example method includes determining, by the playback device, an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A playback device comprising: at least one processor; at least one orientation sensor; a plurality of speakers comprising a first speaker and a second speaker; and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to: use the at least one orientation sensor to determine an orientation of the playback device; when the playback device is playing multi-channel audio content while the playback device is in a first orientation, (i) play a first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation, and (ii) play a second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation; and after determining that the playback device has changed from the first orientation to a second orientation, (i) switch from (a) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation to (b) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a third equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the second orientation, and (ii) switch from (a) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation to (b) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a fourth equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the second orientation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the at least one orientation sensor comprises an accelerometer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the playback device is configured to play audiovisual content, wherein the audiovisual content comprises video content and the multi-channel audio content, and wherein the playback device further comprises: a display screen configured to display the video content of the audiovisual content. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first orientation comprises a horizontal orientation, and wherein the second orientation comprises a vertical orientation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first orientation comprises the first speaker facing a first direction and the second orientation comprises the first speaker facing a second direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first orientation comprises the playback device being oriented so that the first speaker is on a first side of a vertical axis of the playback device and the second speaker is on a second side of the vertical axis of the playback device that is opposite the first side, and the second orientation comprises the playback device being oriented so that the second speaker is on the first side of the vertical axis of the playback device and the second speaker is on the second side of the vertical axis of the playback device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to (i) play the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation, and (ii) play the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to (i) route the first channel of the multi-channel audio content to the first speaker and (ii) route the second channel of the multi-channel audio content to the second speaker; and wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to (i) play the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the third equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the second orientation, and (ii) play the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the fourth equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the second orientation comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to (i) route the second channel of the multi-channel audio content to the first speaker and (ii) route the first channel of the multi-channel audio content to the second speaker. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the playback device comprises one of a smartphone or a tablet computer. ### Claim 9 Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising program instructions that are executable by at least one processor such that a playback device is configured to perform functions comprising: using an orientation sensor to determine an orientation of the playback device; when the playback device is playing multi-channel audio content while the playback device is in a first orientation, (i) playing a first channel of the multi-channel audio content via a first speaker of a plurality of speakers according to a first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation, and (ii) playing a second channel of the multi-channel audio content via a second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation; and after determining that the playback device has changed from the first orientation to a second orientation, (i) switch from (a) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation to (b) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a third equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the second orientation, and (ii) switch from (a) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation to (b) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a fourth equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the second orientation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the orientation sensor comprises an accelerometer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the playback device is configured to play audiovisual content, wherein the audiovisual content comprises video content and the multi-channel audio content, and wherein the playback device further comprises a display screen configured to display the video content of the audiovisual content. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the first orientation comprises a horizontal orientation, and wherein the second orientation comprises a vertical orientation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the first orientation comprises the first speaker facing a first direction and the second orientation comprises the first speaker facing a second direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the first orientation comprises the playback device being oriented so that the first speaker is on a first side of a vertical axis of the playback device and the second speaker is on a second side of the vertical axis of the playback device that is opposite the first side, and the second orientation comprises the playback device being oriented so that the second speaker is on the first side of the vertical axis of the playback device and the second speaker is on the second side of the vertical axis of the playback device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein (i) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation, and (ii) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation comprises (i) routing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content to the first speaker and (ii) routing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content to the second speaker; and wherein (i) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the third equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the second orientation, and (ii) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the fourth equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the second orientation comprises (i) routing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content to the first speaker and (ii) routing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content to the second speaker. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the playback device comprises one of a smartphone or a tablet computer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the first orientation comprises the first speaker facing a first direction and the second orientation comprises the first speaker facing a second direction. ### Claim 18 A method performed by a playback device, the method comprising: using an orientation sensor to determine an orientation of the playback device; when the playback device is playing multi-channel audio content while the playback device is in a first orientation, (i) playing a first channel of the multi-channel audio content via a first speaker of a plurality of speakers according to a first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation, and (ii) playing a second channel of the multi-channel audio content via a second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation; and after determining that the playback device has changed from the first orientation to a second orientation, (i) switch from (a) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the first equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the first orientation to (b) playing the first channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a third equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the second orientation, and (ii) switch from (a) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the second speaker of the plurality of speakers according to the second equalization setting for the second speaker corresponding to the first orientation to (b) playing the second channel of the multi-channel audio content via the first speaker of the plurality of speakers according to a fourth equalization setting for the first speaker corresponding to the second orientation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the playback device is configured to play audiovisual content, wherein the audiovisual content comprises video content and the multi-channel audio content, and wherein the playback device further comprises a display screen configured to display the video content of the audiovisual content. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the playback device comprises one of a smartphone or a tablet computer.