IP Library Granted Patent US 11,159,902
Granted Patent B2
US 11,159,902 · App. 16/848,944 · Granted Oct 26, 2021

System and method for providing user location-based multi-zone media

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.
H04R27/00G06F3/041G06F3/0488G06F3/165G06F3/167H04R2227/003H04R2227/005H04R2430/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,159,902
App. No.
16/848,944
Granted
Oct 26, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for providing user location-based multi-zone media. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly presents media content (e.g., audio content) to a user as the user moves throughout a premises. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly presents media content (e.g., audio content) to a user as the user moves throughout a premises.

Claims (26)

1. A system, comprising:

a first audio device operable to wirelessly receive audio content and present the audio content to a listener after a first delay; and

a second audio device operable to wirelessly receive the audio content and present the audio content to the listener after a second delay, wherein the first delay and the second delay are determined according to a location of the listener relative to the first audio device and the second audio device, and wherein the presentation of the audio content from the first audio device is operably synchronized, via a wireless signal, to the presentation of the audio content from the second audio device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the first audio device is determined by motion of the listener in a first location.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein when the listener moves the system is operable to reduce a first volume of the first audio device and increase a second volume of the second audio device.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein a volume of the first audio device is determined by a presence of the listener in a first location.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a presence of the listener is monitored according to a signal from a personal electronic device carried by the listener.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a predicted location of the listener is determined according a schedule of the listener.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein a presence of the listener is monitored according to a home control device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is activated by a voice command.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is operable to monitor a plurality of listeners.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is operable to prioritize a plurality of listeners.

11. A system, comprising:

a first audio device operable to wirelessly receive and present audio content in a first location, wherein:

the first audio device is operable to wireles sly control a second audio device,

the second audio device is operable to wirelessly receive and present the audio content in a second location, and

a first audio signal output from the first audio device is operably delayed relative to a second audio signal output from the second audio device, wherein the presentation of the audio content from the first audio device is operably synchronized, via a wireless signal, to the presentation of the audio content from the second audio device.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein a first volume of the first audio signal is determined by motion in the first location, and wherein a second volume of the second audio signal is determined by motion in the second location.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein when a listener moves from the first location to the second location, the system is operable to reduce a first volume of the first audio signal and increase a second volume of the second audio signal.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein a first volume of the first audio signal is determined by a presence of a listener in the first location.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein a presence of a listener is monitored according to a signal from a personal electronic device carried by the listener.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein a predicted location of a listener is determined according a schedule of the listener.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein a presence of a listener is monitored according to a home control device.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the system is activated by a voice command.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the system is operable to monitor a plurality of listeners.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein each listener of a plurality of listeners is associated with a priority.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2024
From: STAROBIN, BRADLEY M.; LYONS, MATTHEW; LUMSDEN, STUART W.; DITULLO, MICHAEL; O'CONNOR, PAUL
To: SOUND UNITED, LLC
Reel/Frame 067876/0544 →
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 →
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 →