Media playback device

An electronic device that dynamically adapts sound based at least in part on environmental characterization is described. Based at least in part on information about an environment, which may include a second electronic device, the electronic device may determine a change in a characteristic of the environment. For example, the change in the characteristic may include a change in a reverberation time of the environment, which is associated with at least a frequency. Then, based at least in part on the determined change in the characteristic, the electronic device may calculate an acoustic radiation pattern, where the calculated acoustic radiation pattern reduces an effect of the change in the characteristic on sound in the environment. Next, the electronic device may provide audio content and second information specifying the acoustic radiation pattern for the second electronic device.

Dynamically adapting sound based on environmental characterization

Media player device

An electronic device that provides closed-loop adaptation of 3D sound or a sound field is described. Based at least in part on information about an environment, the electronic device may determine a location of at least an individual relative to location of the second electronic device. Then, based at least in part on the determined location and a predefined acoustic response of the second electronic device, the electronic device may calculate an acoustic radiation pattern of the second electronic device. This acoustic radiation pattern may have a beam with a principal direction corresponding to the determined location, and the acoustic radiation pattern may, at least in part, limit sound distortion of the second electronic device when the second electronic device outputs audio content using the acoustic radiation pattern. Next, the electronic device may provide the audio content and second information specifying the acoustic radiation pattern for the second electronic device.

Closed-loop adaptation of 3D sound

Described herein are modular speaker systems including a plurality of wireless speaker modules configured to output sound in a first arrangement and in a second arrangement, in which the first arrangement is different from the second arrangement. In the first arrangement, at least one speaker module can be in physical contact with at least one other speaker module. In the second arrangement, the at least one speaker module can be physically separated from the at least one other speaker module. The plurality of wireless speaker modules may be arranged in any orientation with respect to one another.

Modular speaker system

Embodiments of a capacitive sensor configuration for proximity detection by a playback device are provided. The playback device may include a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect physical movement in a first direction, and a radio frequency (RF) antenna ground plane oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor. The capacitive proximity sensor may include a first metal electrode coupled to the RF antenna ground plane is coupled to the first metal electrode such that the capacitive proximity sensor may be further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction that is substantially the relative angle to the first direction. The playback device may be configured to determine based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction.

Thomas Calatayud

Papers

Capacitive proximity sensor configuration including an antenna ground plane