Acoustic Playback Signatures for Automatic Multiroom Zone Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in quickly selecting and playing music across multiple zones without manual navigation, leading to increased time-to-music due to complexities in player or room selection and zone grouping.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acoustic signature emitted by playback devices that allows for automatic recognition by controllers, enabling dynamic UI updates and streamlined music selection across zones, using imperceptible frequencies to identify devices or zones without user interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual navigation is used to select and play music across multiple zones, then user control and precision are improved, but time-to-music increases due to complexities in player or room selection and zone grouping
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic zone recognition and device identification without requiring manual user input. The acoustic signature technology enables the system to self-identify playback devices and zones, automatically configuring multi-zone playback settings and eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through complex selection interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If acoustic signature emission is implemented for automatic recognition, then time-to-music is reduced and operation is simplified, but device complexity increases due to additional hardware and software components
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic signature technology serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides device identification, zone recognition, and automatic configuration capabilities. By embedding these diverse functionalities within a single technical mechanism, the system reduces overall complexity compared to implementing separate systems for each function.
3Measurement precision
If imperceptible frequencies are used for acoustic signatures, then user interference is eliminated and automatic recognition is improved, but measurement precision challenges arise in detecting and identifying devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses imperceptible acoustic frequencies as intermediary signals that carry device identification information without interfering with audible music playback. These acoustic signatures serve as a mediation layer between the playback device and the control system, enabling automatic recognition while maintaining audio quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces time-to-music by enabling automatic zone recognition and UI modifications, allowing seamless music playback across multiple zones with synchronized audio experiences.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic signature emitted by playback devices that allows for automatic recognition by controllers
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. An example implementation involves receiving, from a microphone of the controller device, an audio signal played by a playback device, the audio signal indicating network information corresponding to the playback device. The example implementation further involves identifying the playback device based on the network information and responsively, modifying a user interface on the controller device based on the identification of the playback device.