IP Library Granted Patent US 12,294,837
Granted Patent B2
US 12,294,837 · App. 18/437,777 · Granted May 6, 2025

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 12,294,837
App. No.
18/437,777
Granted
May 6, 2025
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 (28)

1. A system, the system comprising:

a first speaker operable to output a first audio signal synchronously with a second audio signal output from a second speaker, wherein:

the second speaker is located remotely from the first speaker,

the first speaker is operable to receive, from a media controller, digital audio data representative of the first audio signal, and

the digital audio data received by the first speaker is modified according to a location of the first speaker and a location of the second speaker.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital audio data received by the first speaker is delayed according to a location of a listener.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first speaker is operable to modify the digital audio data received by the first speaker.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the media controller is operable to determine, according to a voice command, when the digital audio data is to be modified.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first audio signal output by the first speaker is stopped according to a triggering event.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the triggering event comprises a user input in a first zone.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the triggering event comprises a user input at a sensor of the first speaker.

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

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first speaker is operable to wirelessly communicate with the second speaker.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first audio signal is selected according to a voice command associated with a particular user.

11. A method, the method comprising:

via a first speaker:

outputting a first audio signal synchronously with a second audio signal output from a second speaker, wherein the second speaker is located remotely from the first speaker,

receiving, from a media controller, digital audio data representative of the first audio signal, and

modifying the digital audio data according to a location of the first speaker and a location of the second speaker.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises delaying the digital audio data according to a location of a listener.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first speaker is operable to modify the digital audio data received by the first speaker.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the media controller is operable to determine, according to a voice command, when the digital audio data is to be modified.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises stopping the first audio signal output by the first speaker according to a triggering event.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the triggering event comprises a user input in a first zone.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the triggering event comprises a user input at a sensor of the first speaker.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the triggering event comprises a particular voice command.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises wirelessly communicating between the first speaker and the second speaker.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first audio signal is selected according to a voice command associated with a particular user.

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 (7)
Continuation 17370018 · Jul 8, 2021
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 20240187802A1 · Jun 6, 2024
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