US 9,285,886 B2 · Intelligent amplifier activation

Abstract

Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A first playback device comprising:

a physical control interface comprising a control that initiates rendering of media content by the first playback device;
a proximity sensor arranged to detect movement in proximity to the physical control interface;
an amplifier;
a network interface;
one or more processors;
and
a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:
while the amplifier of the first playback device is in an inactive state, detecting by the proximity sensor, movement in relation to the physical control interface of the first playback device;
responsive to detecting the movement, causing the amplifier of the first playback device to enter an active state such that the amplifier is configured to produce amplified audio signals and sending, via the network interface, a message that causes an amplifier of a second playback device to enter the active state;
receiving a user input to cause the first playback device to render media content;
and
responsive to receiving the user input, causing the first playback device to render media content in synchrony with the second playback device.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intelligent amplifier activation

Life of this patent

Intelligent amplifier activation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20