# US 9,521,487 B2 · Calibration adjustment based on barrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,521,487 B2 - Document ID: US9521487B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/066,049 - Filed: 2016-03-10 - Published: 2016-06-30 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-17 - Assignees: Sonos, Inc. - Applicants: Sonos, Inc. - Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi; William H Bush - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521487B2 ## CPC - H04R 29/007: {for public address systems (public address systems per se H04R27/00)} - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - H04R 1/323: {for loudspeakers (H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence)} - 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 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - H04R 27/00: Public address systems (circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; {monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007}; amplifiers H03F) - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - H04R 29/002: {Loudspeaker arrays} - H04S 7/307: {Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control (H04S7/301 takes precedence)} - H04R 2227/001: Adaptation of signal processing in PA systems in dependence of presence of noise - 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 - H04R 2420/03: Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers - H04R 2430/03: Synergistic effects of band splitting and sub-band processing - H04R 2499/13: Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles - H04S 2400/01: Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved - H04S 2420/07: Synergistic effects of band splitting and sub-band processing - 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) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04S: STEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS ## Abstract Embodiments described herein involve configuring a playback device based on the detection of a barrier in proximity to the playback device. An example implementation may involve configuring the playback device for audio output in a given environment by calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment. After the playback device is configured for audio output, the playback device may detect a barrier within proximity of the playback device by detecting a change in the acoustic effects of the given environment. In response to detecting the barrier within proximity of the playback device, the playback device may adjust the calibration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A playback device comprising: one or more processors; and tangible, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the playback device to perform a method comprising: configuring the playback device for audio output in a given environment, wherein configuring the playback device for audio output comprises calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment; after configuring the playback device for audio output, detecting a barrier within proximity of the playback device, wherein detecting the barrier comprises detecting a change in the acoustic effects of the given environment; and in response to detecting the barrier within proximity of the playback device, adjusting the calibration of the playback device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment comprises: causing, at a first instance, one or more speakers to output a first audio pulse; and receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse, wherein the received audio data indicates acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The playback device of claim 2, wherein detecting the change in the acoustic effects of the given environment: causing, at a second instance that is after the first instance, the one or more speakers to output a second audio pulse; receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse, wherein the received audio data indicates acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance; and determining that the acoustic effects of the given environment have changed between the first instance and the second instance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The playback device of claim 3, wherein receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises causing a microphone to record samples of the first audio pulse, the recorded samples of the first audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, and wherein receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises causing the microphone to record samples of the second audio pulse, the recorded samples of the second audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The playback device of claim 3, wherein receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises receiving, via a network interface from a recording device, samples of the first audio pulse, the recorded samples of the first audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, and wherein receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises receiving, via the network interface from the recording device, samples of the second audio pulse, the recorded samples of the second audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The playback device of claim 3, wherein the audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises a first frequency response indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, wherein the audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises a second frequency response indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance, and wherein determining that the acoustic effects of the given environment have changed between the first instance and the second instance comprises determining that a change between the first frequency response and the second frequency response is greater than a distortion threshold. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The playback device of claim 1, wherein the playback device comprises a first speaker and a second speaker, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises determining respective calibrations for the first speaker and the second speaker, wherein detecting the barrier comprises detecting that the barrier is within proximity of the first speaker, and wherein adjusting the calibration of the playback device comprises adjusting the calibration of the first speaker. ### Claim 8 A method comprising: configuring, via a playback device, the playback device for audio output in a given environment, wherein configuring the playback device for audio output comprises calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment after configuring the playback device for audio output, detecting, via the playback device, a barrier within proximity of the playback device, wherein detecting the barrier comprises detecting a change in the acoustic effects of the given environment; and in response to detecting the barrier within proximity of the playback device, adjusting the calibration of the playback device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment comprises: causing, at a first instance, one or more speakers to output a first audio pulse; and receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse, wherein the received audio data indicates acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein detecting the change in the acoustic effects of the given environment: causing, at a second instance that is after the first instance, the one or more speakers to output a second audio pulse; receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse, wherein the received audio data indicates acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance; and determining that the acoustic effects of the given environment have changed between the first instance and the second instance. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises causing a microphone to record samples of the first audio pulse, the recorded samples of the first audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, and wherein receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises causing the microphone to record samples of the second audio pulse, the recorded samples of the second audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises receiving, via a network interface from a recording device, samples of the first audio pulse, the recorded samples of the first audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, and wherein receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises receiving, via the network interface from the recording device, samples of the second audio pulse, the recorded samples of the second audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises a first frequency response indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, wherein the audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises a second frequency response indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance, and wherein determining that the acoustic effects of the given environment have changed between the first instance and the second instance comprises determining that a change between the first frequency response and the second frequency response is greater than a distortion threshold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the playback device comprises a first speaker and a second speaker, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises determining respective calibrations for the first speaker and the second speaker, wherein detecting the barrier comprises detecting that the barrier is within proximity of the first speaker, and wherein adjusting the calibration of the playback device comprises adjusting the calibration of the first speaker. ### Claim 15 A tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for execution by a processor, the set of instructions, when executed, cause a playback device to perform operations comprising: configuring the playback device for audio output in a given environment, wherein configuring the playback device for audio output comprises calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment; after configuring the playback device for audio output, detecting a barrier within proximity of the playback device, wherein detecting the barrier comprises detecting a change in the acoustic effects of the given environment; and in response to detecting the barrier within proximity of the playback device, adjusting the calibration of the playback device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein calibrating the playback device to at least partially offset acoustic effects of the given environment comprises: causing, at a first instance, one or more speakers to output a first audio pulse; and receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse, wherein the received audio data indicates acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein detecting the change in the acoustic effects of the given environment: causing, at a second instance that is after the first instance, the one or more speakers to output a second audio pulse; receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse, wherein the received audio data indicates acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance; and determining that the acoustic effects of the given environment have changed between the first instance and the second instance. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises causing a microphone to record samples of the first audio pulse, the recorded samples of the first audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, and wherein receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises causing the microphone to record samples of the second audio pulse, the recorded samples of the second audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein receiving audio data representing the first audio pulse comprises receiving, via a network interface from a recording device, samples of the first audio pulse, the recorded samples of the first audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the first instance, and wherein receiving audio data representing the second audio pulse comprises receiving, via the network interface from the recording device, samples of the second audio pulse, the recorded samples of the second audio pulse indicating acoustic effects of the given environment at the second instance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the playback device comprises a first speaker and a second speaker, wherein calibrating the playback device comprises determining respective calibrations for the first speaker and the second speaker, wherein detecting the barrier comprises detecting that the barrier is within proximity of the first speaker, and wherein adjusting the calibration of the playback device comprises adjusting the calibration of the first speaker.