IP Library Granted Patent US 8,965,033
Granted Patent B2
US 8,965,033 · App. 13/601,519 · Granted Feb 24, 2015

Acoustic optimization

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,965,033
App. No.
13/601,519
Granted
Feb 24, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for acoustic optimization. An example playback device includes a first transducer to at least one of output sound waves and receive sound waves, a second transducer to at least one of output sound waves and receive sound waves, and an acoustic grille positioned in relation to the first transducer, where the acoustic grille is to reflect sound waves received at a first angle of incidence.

Claims (31)

1. A playback device comprising:

a first transducer mounted in a first baffle, the first transducer arranged to at least one of output sound waves and receive sound waves;

a second transducer mounted in a second baffle, the second transducer arranged to at least one of output sound waves and receive sound waves, the second transducer positioned adjacent to the first transducer; and

an acoustic grille positioned on top of the first baffle to cover the first transducer and positioned substantially flush with the second baffle, the acoustic grille positioned to substantially constrain sound wave interference between the first transducer and the second transducer, wherein the acoustic grille is to reflect sound waves received at a first angle of incidence.

2. A playback device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the acoustic grille is to pass through sound waves that are received at a second angle of incidence.

3. A playback device as defined in claim 2 , wherein the acoustic grille is to include a threshold angle of incidence, and wherein the first angle of incidence is less than the threshold angle.

4. A playback device as defined in claim 3 , wherein the second angle of incidence is greater than the threshold angle.

5. A playback device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the acoustic grille is positioned between the first transducer and the second transducer.

6. A playback device as defined in claim 5 , wherein the position of the acoustic grille is arranged to improve sound wave separation between the first transducer and the second transducer.

7. A playback device as defined in claim 1 , wherein if the first transducer receives sound waves and the second transducer at least outputs sound waves, the acoustic grille arranged to reflect the output sound waves from being received by the first transducer.

8. A method of adjusting a sound wave having at least a first wave component and a second wave component comprising:

receiving the first wave component at an acoustic grille at a first angle of incidence, the acoustic grille positioned in relation to a plurality of transducers;

receiving the second wave component at the acoustic grille at a second angle of incidence;

reflecting the first wave component based on the first angle of incidence;

passing through the second wave component to a portion of the plurality of transducers based on the second angle of incidence, the first angle of incidence less than a threshold angle; and

identifying a sound wave source location based on the portion of the plurality of transducers.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the second angle of incidence is greater than the threshold angle.

10. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the acoustic grille is positioned on top of the plurality of transducers.

11. A method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the acoustic grille reduces sound wave interference between the plurality of transducers.

12. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the acoustic grille is positioned between one or more of the plurality of transducers.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 , wherein the acoustic grille improves sound wave separation between the one or more of the plurality of transducers.

14. A playback device comprising:

a first baffle including a first transducer and a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the first transducer is mounted in the first surface;

a second baffle positioned adjacent the first baffle, the second baffle including a second transducer and a third surface opposite a fourth surface, wherein the second transducer is mounted in the third surface, and wherein a distance between the third surface and the fourth surface is different than a distance between the first surface and the second surface; and

an acoustic grille positioned on top of the first baffle and positioned substantially flush to the second baffle, the acoustic grille arranged to reflect sound waves received at a first angle of incidence and to pass through sound waves received at a second angle of incidence, wherein the position of the acoustic grille is to substantially constrain sound wave interference between the first transducer and the second transducer.

15. A playback device as defined in claim 14 , wherein the position of the acoustic grille arranged to improve sound wave separation between the first transducer and the second transducer.

16. A playback device as defined in claim 4 , wherein the second angle of incidence is indicative of a sound wave source location.

17. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein identifying the sound wave source location comprises:

monitoring level measurements of the portion of the plurality of transducers; and

identifying the second angle of incidence.

18. A playback device as defined in claim 14 , wherein the second angle of incidence is indicative of a sound wave source location.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: SONOS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058213/0597 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 15, 2021
From: SONOS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058123/0206 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2018
From: GORDON BROTHERS FINANCE COMPANY
To: SONOS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046625/0882 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2016
From: SONOS, INC.
To: GORDON BROTHERS FINANCE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 038329/0253 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2015
From: SONOS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 037112/0014 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2012
From: WIGGINS, DANIEL C.
To: SONOS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029022/0102 →