Wireless power transfer for audio playback devices
Disclosed herein are devices (e.g., audio playback devices) configured to transmit and/or receive wireless power. Wireless power can be transferred using mid-range or long-range techniques, such as electromagnetic radiation (e.g., lasers, microwaves) or electromagnetic coupling (e.g., inductive coupling, capacitive coupling). Device performance and/or power transmission may be modified dynamically based on wireless power levels, user behavior, the behavior of other devices, device grouping, or other parameters.
1 . A method for a device, the method comprising:
receiving, via a wireless power receiver, wireless power from one or more external transmitter devices; and
based on the received wireless power, modulating operation of the device, wherein modulating operation of the device comprises transitioning the device from an active state into a low-power state according to a schedule, and wherein the schedule includes staggered periods of low-power states for a plurality of devices, such that at any given time at least one device of the plurality of devices is in an active state.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises an audio playback device, and wherein modulating operation of the device comprises at least one of:
modulating audio playback;
reducing a volume of audio playback;
reducing a low-frequency output of audio playback;
routing at least a portion of low-frequency audio content to a second audio playback device for synchronous playback;
disabling at least one microphone of the device; or
outputting an alert to a user indicating low wireless power reception.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is a first playback device configured for playing back audio in synchrony with a second playback device, the method further comprising:
playing back audio, via the first playback device, synchronously with the second playback device;
receiving, at the first playback device, an indication of reduced wireless power reception at the second playback device; and
after receiving the indication, causing, by the first playback device, modulation of operation of the second playback device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is a first audio playback device, and wherein the one or more external transmitter devices comprises a second audio playback device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving scheduling instructions from another device of the plurality of devices.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the scheduling instructions comprise an indication that a user has activated the another device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving scheduling instructions from a remote computing over a wide area network.
8 . A device comprising:
a wireless power receiver;
one or more processors; and
data storage having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to perform operations comprising:
receiving, via the wireless power receiver, wireless power from one or more external transmitter devices; and
based on the received wireless power, modulating operation of the device, wherein modulating operation of the device comprises transitioning the device from an active state into a low-power state according to a schedule, and wherein the schedule includes staggered periods of low-power states for a plurality of devices, such that at any given time at least one device of the plurality of devices is in an active state.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the device comprises an audio playback device, and wherein modulating operation of the device comprises at least one of:
modulating audio playback;
reducing a volume of audio playback;
reducing a low-frequency output of audio playback;
routing at least a portion of low-frequency audio content to a second audio playback device for synchronous playback;
disabling at least one microphone of the device; or
outputting an alert to a user indicating low wireless power reception.
10 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a first playback device configured for playing back audio in synchrony with a second playback device, the operations further comprising:
playing back audio, via the first playback device, synchronously with the second playback device;
receiving, at the first playback device, an indication of reduced wireless power reception at the second playback device; and
after receiving the indication, causing, by the first playback device, modulation of operation of the second playback device.
11 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a first audio playback device, and wherein the one or more external transmitter devices comprises a second audio playback device.
12 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving scheduling instructions from another device of the plurality of devices.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the scheduling instructions comprise an indication that a user has activated the another device.
14 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving scheduling instructions from a remote computing over a wide area network.
15 . One or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform operations comprising:
receiving, via a wireless power receiver, wireless power from one or more external transmitter devices; and
based on the received wireless power, modulating operation of the device, wherein modulating operation of the device comprises transitioning the device from an active state into a low-power state according to a schedule, and wherein the schedule includes staggered periods of low-power states for a plurality of devices, such that at any given time at least one device of the plurality of devices is in an active state.
16 . The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the device comprises an audio playback device, and wherein modulating operation of the device comprises at least one of:
modulating audio playback;
reducing a volume of audio playback;
reducing a low-frequency output of audio playback;
routing at least a portion of low-frequency audio content to a second audio playback device for synchronous playback;
disabling at least one microphone of the device; or
outputting an alert to a user indicating low wireless power reception.
17 . The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the device is a first playback device configured for playing back audio in synchrony with a second playback device, the operations further comprising:
playing back audio, via the first playback device, synchronously with the second playback device;
receiving, at the first playback device, an indication of reduced wireless power reception at the second playback device; and
after receiving the indication, causing, by the first playback device, modulation of operation of the second playback device.
18 . The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the device is a first audio playback device, and wherein the one or more external transmitter devices comprises a second audio playback device.
19 . The one or more computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving scheduling instructions from another device of the plurality of devices.
20 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving scheduling instructions from a remote computing over a wide area network.