IP Library Granted Patent US 12,156,001
Granted Patent B2
US 12,156,001 · App. 17/370,018 · Granted Nov 26, 2024

Multi-zone media system and method for providing 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 12,156,001
App. No.
17/370,018
Granted
Nov 26, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-zone media system and method for providing 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.

Claims (59)

1. A system, the system comprising:

a device operable:

according to a voice command, to transmit data representing audio to a first speaker and a second speaker,

to modify the data transmitted to the first speaker,

to synchronize an audio output by the first speaker with an audio output by the second speaker, and

to determine, according to the voice command, when to modify the data transmitted to the first speaker.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device is operable to modify the data transmitted to the first speaker by stopping the audio output by the first speaker after a predetermined time period without an occurrence of a triggering event.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the triggering event comprises receiving a user input in a first zone.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the triggering event comprises a user input at a sensor within a first zone.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the triggering event comprises a particular voice command.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first speaker and the second speaker communicate wirelessly.

7. A system, the system comprising:

a device, wherein the device is operable to:

select audio content according to a voice command associated with a particular user, the voice command being associated with a user profile corresponding to the particular user,

modify a presentation of the audio content in a first zone to synchronize the presentation of the audio content in the first zone with a presentation of the audio content in the second zone, and

identify the user profile according to a recognition of a tactile input associated with the user profile.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the device is operable to identify the user profile according to the voice command.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the device is operable to select the user profile based according to an electronic signature associated with the user profile.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the user profile comprises information specifying a sound equalization and/or response shape characteristic.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the user profile comprises information specifying a volume characteristic.

12. A method, the method comprising:

playing audio content in a first zone;

receiving a voice command by a device in a second zone;

according to the voice command, playing the audio content in the second zone, in synchronicity with the audio content played in the first zone; and

according to the voice command, modifying the audio content playing in a first zone.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first zone and the second zone communicate wirelessly.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the device is operable to determine when to modify the audio content according to the voice command.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein modifying the audio content comprises stopping the audio content from playing.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the device is operable to recognize a user via the voice command.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the voice command controls a user-specific setting.

18. A system, the system comprising:

a device operable:

according to a voice command, to transmit data representing audio to a first speaker and a second speaker,

to modify the data transmitted to the first speaker,

to synchronize an audio output by the first speaker with an audio output by the second speaker, and

to modify the data transmitted to the first speaker by stopping the audio output by the first speaker after a predetermined time period without an occurrence of a triggering event.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the triggering event comprises receiving a user input in a first zone.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the triggering event comprises a user input at a sensor within a first zone.

21. The system of claim 18 , wherein the triggering event comprises a particular voice command.

22. The system of claim 18 , wherein the first speaker and the second speaker communicate wirelessly.

23. A system, the system comprising:

a device, wherein the device is operable to:

select audio content according to a voice command associated with a particular user, the voice command being associated with a user profile corresponding to the particular user,

modify a presentation of the audio content in a first zone to synchronize the presentation of the audio content in the first zone with a presentation of the audio content in the second zone, and

select the user profile based according to an electronic signature associated with the user profile.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the device is operable to identify the user profile according to the voice command.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the user profile comprises information specifying a sound equalization and/or response shape characteristic.

26. The system of claim 23 , wherein the user profile comprises information specifying a volume characteristic.

27. A system, the system comprising:

a device, wherein the device is operable to:

select audio content according to a voice command associated with a particular user, the voice command being associated with a user profile corresponding to the particular user, the user profile comprising information specifying a sound equalization and/or response shape characteristic, and

modify a presentation of the audio content in a first zone to synchronize the presentation of the audio content in the first zone with a presentation of the audio content in the second zone.

28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the device is operable to identify the user profile according to the voice command.

29. The system of claim 27 , wherein the user profile comprises information specifying a volume characteristic.

30. A system, the system comprising:

a device, wherein the device is operable to:

select audio content according to a voice command associated with a particular user, the voice command being associated with a user profile corresponding to the particular user, the user profile comprising information specifying a volume characteristic, and

modify a presentation of the audio content in a first zone to synchronize the presentation of the audio content in the first zone with a presentation of the audio content in the second zone.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the device is operable to identify the user profile according to the voice command.

Assignments (1)
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 067876/0314 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16997075 · Aug 19, 2020
Continuation 16735753 · Jan 7, 2020
Continuation 15894591 · Feb 12, 2018
Continuation 15445291 · Feb 28, 2017
Continuation 14725904 · May 29, 2015
Related Publication 20210337328A1 · Oct 28, 2021