IP Library Granted Patent US 11,176,922
Granted Patent B2
US 11,176,922 · App. 16/848,490 · Granted Nov 16, 2021

System and method for integrating a home media system and other home systems

Inventors: Bradley M. Starobin (Baltimore, MD); Matthew Lyons (York, PA); Stuart W. Lumsden (Ruxton, MD); Michael DiTullo (Encinitas, CA); Paul O'Connor (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Sound United, LLC.
G10K11/17821G08B19/00G10K11/1783G10K11/17817G10K11/17823G10K11/17853G10K11/17857G10K11/17875G10K11/17881G10K11/17885H04L12/2832H04L12/4625H04R27/00H04S7/303H04L2012/2849H04R2227/003H04R2227/005H04S2400/13
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,176,922
App. No.
16/848,490
Granted
Nov 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for integrating a home media system and other home systems. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly and efficiently provide communication and/or resource sharing between a home media system and various other home systems.

Claims (34)

1. An automation system, the automation system comprising:

a media controller operable to control a presentation of media in each of a plurality of locations;

a security system operable to monitor security in each of the plurality of locations;

a thermostat operable to monitor and control temperature in each of the plurality of locations; and,

a communication link operable to share a resource between at least two of the media controller, the security system and the thermostat, wherein the presentation of home media in each of the plurality of locations is independent of the communication link.

2. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the resource comprises a sensor.

3. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the resource comprises a media output device.

4. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the resource is within a loudspeaker enclosure.

5. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the resource is operable to provide an output to a user.

6. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the resource is operable to obtain a user input.

7. The automation system of claim 1 , wherein the media controller comprises a loudspeaker operable to output speech audio.

8. An automation system, the automation system comprising:

a first module on a premises operable to control a media system;

a second module on the premises operable to control a security system via a plurality of devices located throughout the premises; and

a communication link between the first module and the second module, wherein:

the control of the media system is independent of the communication link, and

the communication link is operable to communicate a condition of a sensor.

9. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of: a temperature sensor, a gas sensor, a smoke sensor, and a motion detector.

10. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.

11. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is located within a loudspeaker enclosure.

12. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is operable to obtain a user input.

13. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is operable to monitor temperature, humidity, and/or air quality.

14. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is operable to determine a location and/or presence of a person.

15. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the first module is operable to receive a request from the second module to utilize the sensor.

16. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the first module is part of a loudspeaker component.

17. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the second module is operable to monitor temperature and humidity.

18. The automation system of claim 8 , wherein the second module is operable to control lighting.

19. An automation system, the automation system comprising:

a module operable to establish a communication link between a first home network and a second home network, wherein:

the first home network comprises a plurality of media output devices,

the second home network comprises a plurality of sensors,

the module is operable to provide entertainment content, via the first home network, to one or more of the plurality of media output devices independent of the communication link, and

the second home network is operable, via the communication link, to utilize one or more of the plurality of media output devices to provide a user output.

20. The automation system of claim 19 , wherein the module is operable to identify a media output device of the plurality of media output devices with which to provide the user output based at least in part on a user location.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (REEL/FRAME 056193/0207) Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENEN ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA, LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUD SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 059988/0637 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (REEL/FRAME 056193/0230) Recorded Apr 12, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENEN ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA, LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUD SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
Reel/Frame 060003/0212 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Feb 14, 2022
From: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
To: POLK AUDIO, LLC; DIRECTED, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M EUROPE B.V.; B & W GROUP LTD; SOUND UNITED, LLC; B & W LOUDSPEAKERS LTD; D&M HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 059127/0278 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2021
From: STAROBIN, BRADLEY M.; LYONS, MATTHEW; LUMSDEN, STUART W.; DITULLO, MICHAEL; O'CONNOR, PAUL
To: SOUND UNITED, LLC.
Reel/Frame 057730/0178 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2021
From: BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENON ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUND SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056193/0230 →
ABL PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2021
From: BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; DEI SALES, INC.; DEI HOLDINGS, INC.; SOUND UNITED, LLC; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; THE SPEAKER COMPANY; DENON ELECTRONICS (USA), LLC; MARANTZ AMERICA LLC; D & M SALES & MARKETING AMERICAS LLC; D&M DIRECT, INC.; D&M PREMIUM SOUND SOLUTIONS, LLC; EQUITY INTERNATIONAL LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056193/0207 →
NOTICE OF SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2020
From: DEI SALES, INC.; D&M HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; BOSTON ACOUSTICS, INC.; D&M EUROPE B.V.; POLK AUDIO, LLC; DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC; B & W GROUP LTD
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054300/0611 →