Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9967689B1/en
Timestamp: 2019-10-23 14:40:39
Document Index: 798469537

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 201280056773', 'Application No. 201280056773', 'Application No. 201280056773', 'Application No. 12833511', 'Application No. 12833511', 'Application No. 2014', 'application No. 2016', 'Application No. 2016']

US9967689B1 - Conditional content enhancement - Google Patents
Conditional content enhancement Download PDF
US9967689B1
US9967689B1 US15/280,979 US201615280979A US9967689B1 US 9967689 B1 US9967689 B1 US 9967689B1 US 201615280979 A US201615280979 A US 201615280979A US 9967689 B1 US9967689 B1 US 9967689B1
US15/280,979
2016-09-29 Application filed by Sonos Inc filed Critical Sonos Inc
2016-09-29 Priority to US15/280,979 priority Critical patent/US9967689B1/en
2018-05-08 Publication of US9967689B1 publication Critical patent/US9967689B1/en
239000002609 media Substances 0 claims description 89
An example playback device may identify a first version of audio content for play back from a first source, and further identify a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, where the playback device includes a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. The playback device may determine that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device. The playback device may then identify a second version of the audio content from a second source, where the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value that is closer to the capability of the playback device. The playback device may then cause playback of the second version of the audio content.
The present application incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/239,077, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,286,384, filed on Sep. 21, 2011, for “Methods and Systems to Share Media” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/971,796, filed on Dec. 16, 2015, for “Synchronization of Content Between Networked Devices.”
FIG. 5 shows an example flow diagram for the conditional enhancement of audio content;
FIG. 6 shows an example playback device and example audio content sources;
FIG. 7 shows example audio characteristics of audio content and corresponding playback device capabilities;
FIG. 8 shows example audio characteristics of audio content and corresponding playback device capabilities.
Examples described herein involve the conditional enhancement of audio content based on the capability of one or more playback devices that may play back the audio content. For instance, a playback device may determine that playback of a first version of audio content may be improved by retrieving a second version of the same audio content having audio characteristics that more closely match the capability of the playback device.
For example, a playback device within a media playback system may have access to numerous content sources, such as audio and video streaming services, content libraries, and local device storage, among other examples. Many of the sources available to the playback device may contain versions of the same audio content, such as a particular song by a particular artist, or an audio track that accompanies a particular movie. However, the audio characteristics of each version of the same audio content may not be the same. For example, a first version of the audio content, available from a first source, may have a first bit depth, sample rate and/or number of audio output channels, whereas a second version of the same audio content, available from a second source, may have second bit depth, sample rate, and/or number of audio output channels.
Accordingly, when the playback device identifies a first version of audio content that is to be played back, the playback device may determine whether the audio content can be enhanced by identifying and retrieving an improved version of the audio content. For instance, the playback device may identify the value of one or more audio characteristics of the first version of the audio content, such as the audio characteristics discussed above. The playback device may then determine that the value of the audio characteristic does not match the capability of the playback device. In other words, the playback device may determine that it, either alone or in combination with other playback devices in the media playback system, has the capability to play back an improved version of the audio content.
The playback device may then identify, by searching available content sources, a second version of the audio content that has an improved value for the audio characteristic that more closely matches the capability of the playback device. The playback device may then cause the second version of the audio content to be played back, improving the listening experience within the media playback system 100.
As indicated above, the examples involve the conditional enhancement of audio content. In one aspect, a method is provided. The method involves identifying, by a playback device, a first version of audio content for play back from a first source and identifying, by the playback device, a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, where the playback device includes a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. The method also includes determining, by the playback device, that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device. The method further includes identifying, by the playback device, a second version of the audio content from a second source, where the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value, and where the second value of the audio characteristic is closer to the capability of the playback device. The method also involves causing playback of the second version of the audio content.
In another aspect, a device is provided. The device includes a processor, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executed by the processor, cause the playback device to perform functions including identifying a first version of audio content for play back from a first source, and identifying a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, where the playback device includes a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. The functions also include determining that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device. The functions further include identifying a second version of the audio content from a second source, where the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value, and where the second value of the audio characteristic is closer to the capability of the playback device. The functions also include causing playback of the second version of the audio content.
In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable memory is provided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereon instructions executable by a playback device to cause the playback device to perform functions. The functions include identifying a first version of audio content for play back from a first source and identifying a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, where the playback device includes a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. The functions also include determining that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device. The functions further include identifying a second version of the audio content from a second source, where the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value, and where the second value of the audio characteristic is closer to the capability of the playback device. The functions also include causing playback of the second version of the audio content.
It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that this disclosure includes numerous other embodiments. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that this disclosure includes numerous other examples. While some examples described herein may refer to functions performed by given actors such as “users” and/or other entities, it should be understood that this description is for purposes of explanation only. The claims should not be interpreted to require action by any such example actor unless explicitly required by the language of the claims themselves.
While some examples described herein may refer to functions performed by given actors such as “users” and/or other entities, it should be understood that this is for purposes of explanation only. The claims should not be interpreted to require action by any such example actor unless explicitly required by the language of the claims themselves.
III. Example Implementations of Conditional Content Enhancement
As discussed above, embodiments described herein may involve the conditional enhancement of audio content based on the capability of one or more playback devices that may play back the audio content.
Method 500 shown in FIG. 5 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented within an operating environment involving, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more of the playback device 200 of FIG. 2, and one or more of the control device 300 of FIG. 3. Method 500 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 502-510. Although the blocks are illustrated in sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.
In addition, for the method 500 and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and operation of one possible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, each block may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, for example, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. The computer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readable medium, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores data for short periods of time like register memory, processor cache and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computer readable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storage systems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computer readable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device. In addition, for the method 500 and other processes and methods disclosed herein, each block in FIG. 5 may represent circuitry that is wired to perform the specific logical functions in the process.
At block 502 of the method 500, a playback device may identify a first version of audio content for play back from a first source. The playback device may be, for example, the playback device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and may further correspond to one of the playback devices 102-124 in the media playback system 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 illustrates an example implementation. The playback device 108 of FIG. 1 is shown, which identifies the first version of audio content 601 from the first source 603.
The first version of the audio content 601 may be any audio content that may be played back by the playback device 200, and the first source 603 may be any source that can provide content to the playback device 200, such as those discussed in section II.d. above. For instance, the first version of the audio content 601 may be a music track. The first version of the audio content 601 might take other forms as well, such as an audiobook or a podcast, among other examples. Further, although it is illustrated as a cloud-based source in FIG. 6, such as an internet-based streaming music provider, the first source 603 may alternatively be a local network connected device, or a control device such as the control device 300, among other examples.
In further examples, the first version of the audio content 601 may be audio content that accompanies video content. For instance, the media playback system 100 and the playback device 108 may be integrated with a home theater system, and the first version of the audio content 601 may be the audio corresponding to a movie, television show, music video or other video content on a television. Similarly, a control device, such as the control device 300, may include a display capable of playing back video content in synchrony with audio content via the playback device 108. In such cases, the first version of the audio content 601 may be received from the same source that originates the video content. For example, the first source 603 may be a locally-connected device such as a cable box, a satellite tuner, a DVD or Blu-ray player. Alternatively, the first source 603 for the first version of the audio content 601 may be an internet-based video streaming service that also transmits audio corresponding to the video stream. Numerous other possibilities exist.
The playback device 108 may identify the first version of the audio content in a number of ways. For instance, the playback device 108 may receive a URI or a URL to the first version of the audio content 601 as part of a command to play the audio content from the first source 603. In other implementations, where the first version of the audio content 601 is pushed to the playback device 108, the playback device 108 may identify the first version of the audio content 601 based on metadata that is received in addition to the first version of the audio content 601. In other examples, such as an example where metadata identifying the first version of the audio content 601 is not available, the playback device 108 may sample the first version of the audio content 601 and identify it based on an audio recognition algorithm. Other examples are also possible.
At block 504, the playback device 108 may identify a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content 601, wherein the playback device 108 comprises a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. The audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content 601 may be any audio characteristic that affects the playback of the audio content. For instance, FIG. 7 shows a representation of the audio content 601, including a list of audio characteristics such as bit depth 701 a, sample rate 701 b, and number of channels 701 c. For the bit depth 701 a, the playback device 108 identifies a first value of 8-bit 702 a, also shown in FIG. 7. Similarly, the playback device 108 identifies a first value of 32 kHz 702 b for the sample rate 702 a, and a first value of 1 (mono) 702 c for the number of channels 701 c.
The playback device 108 may identify a value for other audio characteristics as well, in addition to those discussed above and shown in FIG. 7. For instance, the playback device 108 may identify the audio format, which may indicate the audio codec used to compress and decompress the first version of the audio content 601, such as MP3, AAC, or FLAC, among other possibilities. As another example, some audio content may be object-based rather than channel-based, and the playback device 108 may identify values for object-based audio characteristics, such as polar resolution, or polar coordinates. Other possibilities also exist.
In some cases, the first version of the audio content 601 may include metadata that the playback device 108 may use to identify the first value of the audio characteristic. However, in some examples the metadata may be unavailable or incomplete. In these instances, the playback device 108 may, before identifying the first value of the audio characteristic, play back the first version of the audio content 601. Based on the sample of playback of the first version of the audio content 601, the playback device 108 may identify the first value of the audio characteristic.
In other implementations, such as those where the first version of the audio content 601 is streamed from an internet-based source, the first value of the audio characteristic may change during the stream. For instance, the bit depth or sample rate of an incoming audio stream may be reduced due to network latency or bandwidth considerations. Therefore, the playback device 108 may identify the first value for the audio characteristic at regular or irregular intervals during playback of the first version of the audio content 601. Additionally or alternatively, the playback device 108 may identify the first value for the audio characteristic whenever a change in the incoming audio stream is detected.
Additionally, the playback device 108 includes a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a representation of the playback device 108, including a list the same audio characteristics 701 a-c that are listed for the first version of the audio content 601. For each audio characteristic 701 a-c, the capability of the playback device 108 is listed. For instance, for bit depth 701 a, the capability of the playback device 108 is 16 bit 703 a. Similarly, for sample rate 701 b, the capability of the playback device 108 is 44.1 kHz 703 b, and for number of channels, the capability is 1 (mono) 703 c. In each instance, the listed capability of the playback device 108 may generally correspond to the highest quality audio that the playback device 108 can play. For instance, a higher bit depth or sample rate may generally correspond to better quality audio and an improved listening experience. Similarly, some audio codecs utilize compression that results in data loss and degradation of the audio content, whereas other file formats result in less data loss, utilize lossless compression, or are uncompressed. Thus, the capability of the playback device 108 with respect to audio format may correspond to the audio format(s) that result in the least data loss.
At block 506, the playback device 108 may determine that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content 601 does not match the capability of the playback device 108. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, the playback device 108 may determine that the bit depth 701 a of the first version of the audio content 601, namely, 8 bit 702 a, does not match the capability, 16 bit 703 a, of the playback device 108. The playback device may make a similar determination regarding the sample rate 701 b, as 32 kHz 702 b is also below the 44.1 kHz 703 b capability.
At block 508, the playback device 108 may identify a second version of the audio content from a second source. FIG. 6 illustrates the playback device 108, which identifies the second version of the audio content 602 from the second source 604. Like the first source 603, the second source 604 may be any of the audio content sources discussed above in section II.d. For example, the first version of the audio content 601 may be a particular song by a particular artist, and the first source 603 may be a control device 300 in the media playback system 100 that includes the first version of the audio content 601 stored in its memory 304. The second version of the audio content 602 is a second version of the same song, by the same artist, but the source 604 may instead be an internet-based music streaming service or content library.
Although the first and second versions of the audio content are the same song, by the same artist, the audio characteristics of the two versions in this example are different. In particular, the second version of the audio content 602 includes the audio characteristic having a second value, and the second value of the audio characteristic is closer to the capability of the playback device 108. The example shown in FIG. 7 is illustrative. As noted above, the capability of the playback device 108 with respect to both bit depth 701 a and sample rate 701 b exceeds the values of those two audio characteristics for the first version of the audio content 601. However, the playback device 108 identifies a second version of the audio content 602 that, although it is the same song by the same artist, has a bit depth 701 a with a second value of 16 bit 704 a, and a sample rate 701 b with a second value of 44.1 kHz 704 b. Thus, the playback device 108 has identified a higher-quality version of the same audio content, the playback of which may enhance the listening experience.
Accordingly, at block 510, the playback device 108 may cause playback of the second version of the audio content 602. In some examples, before causing playback of the second version of the audio content 602, the playback device 108 may synchronize playback of the second version of the audio content 602 with playback of the first version of the audio content 601. For instance, the playback device may align the start and end times of the two versions of the audio content and then match a presentation time stamp for upcoming samples that are to be played. This may allow for the second version of the audio content 602 to be played at the same time or nearly the same time that the first version of the audio content 601 was to be played, which may be important where the audio content is synced with video content.
Further, in some instances where the second version of the audio content 602 is identified after the first version of the audio content 601 is already being played back, the playback device 108 may perform additional processing, such as cross-fading the volume between the two versions, in order to provide a smooth transition between the playback of the content. Other possibilities for synchronizing the playback of the first and second versions of the audio content 601, 602 are also possible.
Numerous other examples exist where the playback device 108 may identify multiple version of the same audio content, where the versions have different audio characteristics. For instance, FIG. 8 illustrates another example in which the first version of the audio content 801 is spatialized for only 1 (mono) channel 802 c of audio output. On the other hand, the playback device 108, which in isolation might be capable of only single channel playback, may be grouped with playback device 106 for synchronous playback of audio content. Therefore, the capability of playback device 108 with respect to the number of channels 701 c is 2 (stereo) 803 c. Accordingly, the second version of the audio content 804 that is identified by the playback device 108 has a value of 2 (stereo) 805 c for the number of channels 701 c, which matches the capability of the playback device 108.
In some implementations, the playback device 108 may determine an update to the capability of the playback device 108, and then determine that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content 601 does not match the updated capability of the playback device 108. For example, the playback device 108 may determine that a second playback device in the media playback system 100 has been grouped with the playback device 108 for synchronous playback. For instance, the playback device 108 may be grouped with the playback device 106, as shown in FIG. 1, for stereo playback. Accordingly, the number of channels that the playback device 108 is capable of playing in its updated configuration may be 2 (stereo). Thus, the playback device 108 would determine that the number of channels 701 c of the first version of the audio content 601 does not match the updated capability of the playback device 108.
As another example, the capability of the playback device 108 may change if the playback device 108 receives a software update that increases the bit depth or sample rate that it is capable of playing, or that updates the file formats it is able to play.
Similar examples exist with respect to audio that is played in synchrony with video. For instance, the playback device 108 may receive a first version of audio content corresponding to a television program via a first source, such as a satellite tuner. The first version of the audio content may include two channels of audio playback. However, the playback device 108 may be grouped with other playback devices in the media playback system 100 and as a result, be capable of playing back 5.1 channel audio content. The playback device 108 may then identify a second version of the same television program from a second source, such as an internet-based video service provider, that includes an audio stream spatialized for 5.1 channel audio output. The playback device may then retrieve and synchronize the second version of the audio content with the video stream, and play back the second version of the audio content. Additional examples of synchronization of audio and video content are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/971,796, which is incorporated by reference.
In some examples, before identifying the second version of the audio content 602 from the second source, the playback device 108 may determine a likelihood that an improved version of the audio content 601 exists and is retrievable. For example, the playback device 108 may identify the first source 603 of the first version of the audio content 601 as a line-in input from a microphone. This may correspond to audio content that is being generated live, and for which a second version of the same audio content is unlikely to exist. Therefore, the playback device 108 may not attempt to identify a second version of the audio content.
Conversely, the first version of the audio content 601 may be identified as a music track having a URI at the first content source 603, such as a streaming music service. Based on this identification, the playback device 108 may determine that it is likely that a second version of the same music track may exist elsewhere at a second content source 604, and therefore the playback device 108 may undertake to identify a second version of the audio content 602 with improved audio characteristic having the second value.
In some cases, identifying the second version of the audio content 602 from the second source 604 may include the playback device 108 searching available sources for the second version of the audio content 602 having the second value. The search may include one or more queries, such as a search a based on a universal content identifier, such as UUID, or a search of available sources for metadata identifying the audio content in question having the desired audio characteristic values. The playback device 108 may also sample and fingerprint versions of the audio content from different sources, in order to determine the values of the audio characteristics in those versions. Additional methods of searching for and identifying audio content are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,286,384, which is incorporated by reference.
Additionally or alternatively, the playback device may identify a second version of the audio content 602 having values for the audio characteristics that more closely match the capabilities of the playback device 108, but which is available from a second source 604 to which the playback device 108 does not have access. In this situation, the playback device 108 may cause a message to be sent to a control device of the media playback system 100, such as the control device 300, suggesting that a higher-quality version of the desired audio content is available from the second source 604.
Other similar messages or indications may be generated in conjunction with the operations of the method 500. These messages or indications may be displayed on a control device 300 in the media playback system 100. For example, after identifying and playing back the second version of the audio content 602, the playback device 108 may cause an indication that better quality audio content was retrieved and is now being played. Additionally or alternatively, the first playback device 108 may transmit a message to the first source 603 indicting that the first playback device 108 is retrieving a higher quality version of the audio content from a different source. Other possibilities also exist.
In some cases, causing playback of the second version of the audio content 602 may include causing playback by a second playback device in the media playback system 100. For example, the first version of the audio content 801 shown in FIG. 8 is spatialized for 1 (mono) channel of audio output. However, the playback device 108 in the example of FIG. 8 is grouped with playback device 106, and therefore capable of 2 (stereo) channel audio output. Accordingly, the playback device 108 may identify the second version of the audio content 804 spatialized for 2 (stereo) channel audio output, and cause playback of the second version of the audio content 804 on both the playback device 108 and the second playback device 106.
In another implementation, the playback device 108 may be grouped with other playback devices for synchronous playback, where a second playback device in the group, such as the playback device 104, has different capabilities than the playback device 108. For example, the playback device 104 may be a newer model device that is capable of playing audio content with a greater bit depth or a higher sample rate, or perhaps a wider range of audio formats than the playback device 108. In these situations, the playback device 108 may determine that the value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content 601 does not match the capability of the second playback device 104, and then identify a second version of the audio content 602 to match the capability of the second playback device 104. The playback device 104 may then play the second version of the audio content 602 in synchrony with the playback of the first version of the audio content 601 by the playback device 108.
Extending this example, the playback device 108 might also identify a third version of the audio content. The third version of the audio content may have audio characteristics with values that match the capability of the playback device 108, and are of higher quality than the first version of the audio content 601, yet are of lower quality than the second version of the audio content 602 that was identified for the playback device 104. Thus, the playback device 108 may enhance the playback of audio content by identifying, for each playback device in the group, the highest quality version of the audio content that that playback device is capable of playing, and then coordinating the synchronous playback of all versions of the audio content.
Alternatively, the playback device 108 may identify a second version of the audio content 602 that exceeds the audio quality that the playback device 108 is capable of playing, as shown in FIG. 6. For example, the playback device 108 may identify a second version the audio content that includes a bit depth of 24 bit and a sample rate of 48 kHz. Additionally, the playback device 108 may identify a second playback device within the media playback system 100, such as the playback device 112, that has capabilities that meet or exceed these values. The playback device 108 may cause an indication to be displayed on a control device 300 that a higher quality version the audio content has been identified and can be played back on the playback device 112. The control device 300 may present an option to begin playback of the second version of the audio content 602, and to optionally form a group for synchronous playback with the playback device 108.
Similarly, the playback device 108 may identify a second version of the audio content that exceeds the audio quality of all of the playback devices in the media playback system. In this situation, the playback device 108 may present an indication, via a control device 300, suggesting to a user that playback devices capable of playing back higher quality audio content are available for purchase.
Although the examples described thus far have involved the enhancement of audio content by identifying a second version of the audio content having a higher bit depth, sample rate, or number of audio channels, it is important to note that the playback of audio content might alternatively be improved by reducing the value of these audio characteristics. In other words, an enhanced listening experience may not always involve “better” audio content. For example, the capability of the playback device 108 may be reduced in some situations, such as when there is a change in the network bandwidth associated with the playback device 108, or if a second playback device that is grouped with the playback device 108 fails or is ungrouped. In these instances, the first version of the audio content 601 may have a sample rate that is too high for the updated network bandwidth, which may lead to undesirable dropouts or pauses during playback of the audio content. Similarly, the first version the audio content 601 may be spatialized for 2-channel stereo output when the playback device 108 is grouped with the playback device 106. However, if the playback device 106 is regrouped into a different configuration, the playback device 108 is only capable of 1-channel mono playback. This in turn may lead to the undesirable playback of only 1 of the 2 channels of audio output in the first version of the audio content 601.
In these situations, the playback of audio content by the playback device 108 may actually be enhanced by identifying and playing back a second version of the audio content 602 having audio characteristics of a lower quality, such as a lower sample rate or bit depth, a lesser number of audio output channels, or a file format that is more compressed and includes more data loss.
For many of the same reasons, the playback device 108 may assess network conditions before identifying and playing back a second version of the audio content 602 that corresponds to a higher nominal capability of the playback device 108. This may reduce the likelihood of a situation where the actual capability of the playback device 108, as limited by network conditions, is exceeded.
In some examples, the playback device 108 may prioritize multiple available versions of the audio content based on an extent to which each audio characteristics may affect playback quality. For instance, using the previous example, the playback device 108 may experience a drop in network bandwidth, and as a result may attempt to identify a second version of the audio content 602 that is of lower quality. In doing so, the playback device 108 may first query available content sources for a version of the audio content having a lower sample rate. If a version having a reduced sample rate cannot be found, or if a version having the recued sample rate is not sufficient to compensate for the decreased bandwidth, the playback device may search for a version of the audio content additionally or alternatively having a reduced bit depth. Reducing the value of these audio characteristics may be prioritized over reducing the number of audio channels, because the effect of reducing the sample rate or bit depth may be less noticeable to the overall audio quality than a reduction in the number of audio channels.
In a similar manner, the playback device 108 may also prioritize available versions of the audio content in situations where the audio quality is improved. For instance, the playback device 108 may prioritize an increase in the number of audio channels to match the capability of the playback device 108 over changes in the bit depth of sample rate. FIG. 8 illustrates such an example, where the first version of the audio content includes a bit depth 701 a of 16 bit 802 a, a sample rate 701 b of 44.1 kHz 802 b, and a number of channels 701 c of 1 (mono) 802 c. Meanwhile, the playback device 108, which is grouped with playback device 106 in this example, has the capability of playing 16 bit 803 a, 44.1 kHz 803 b audio content having 2 (stereo) channel audio output. As shown in FIG. 8, the playback device 108 identified the second version of the audio content 804 having an improved number of audio channels, 2 (stereo) 805 c, to match the capability of the playback device 108. However, the second version of the audio content 804 has a reduced sample rate of 32 kHz 805 b. In this case, the playback device 108 has prioritized the number of audio channels over the sample rate. In other examples, the values of the audio characteristics such as sample rate and/or bit depth may have minimum thresholds below which an improved number of audio channels would no longer be prioritized. Other possibilities also exist.
Finally, although the examples above discuss the playback device 108 performing the operations associated with the method 500, it is also possible that a computing device that is separate from the playback device 108 may carry out these actions. For example, a control device, such as the control device 300, or a remote server may determine the capabilities of the playback device 108 and other playback devices in the media playback system 100, as discussed above. The computing device may then identify and retrieve an appropriate version of the audio content from an appropriate source, and send it to the playback device 108 for playback. Further, a combination of computing devices, including the playback device 108, may perform the operations in combination.
identifying, by a playback device, a first version of audio content for play back from a first source;
causing, by the playback device, playback of the first version of the audio content;
identifying, by the playback device, a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, wherein the playback device comprises a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic;
determining, by the playback device, that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device;
identifying, by the playback device, a second version of the audio content from a second source, wherein the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value, and wherein the second value of the audio characteristic is closer to the capability of the playback device;
before causing playback of the second version of the audio content, synchronizing playback of the second version of the audio content with playback of the first version of the audio content;
causing playback of the second version of the audio content in synchrony with the first version of the audio content;
after causing playback of the second version of the audio content, reducing a playback volume of the first version of the audio content.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio characteristic comprises a number of audio channels for playback, wherein the first value of the number of audio channels of the first version of the audio content is a first number, wherein the playback device is grouped in a media playback system with other playback devices such that the capability of the playback device comprises a second number of audio channels for playback, and wherein the second value of the number of audio channels for the second version of the audio content is the second number.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein playing back the first version of the audio content comprises playing back the first version of the audio content before identifying the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content.
determining an update to the capability of the playback device, wherein determining that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device comprises determining that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the updated capability of the playback device.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the playback device is a first playback device in a media playback system, wherein the audio characteristic is a number of audio channels for playback, and wherein determining the update to the capability of the first playback device comprises determining that a second playback device in the media playback system has been grouped with the first playback device for synchronous playback.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the audio characteristic comprises a sample rate, and wherein the update to the capability of the playback device comprises a change in the network bandwidth associated with the playback device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the second version of the audio content from the second source comprises searching available sources for the second version of the audio content having the second value.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback device is a first playback device in a media playback system, and wherein causing playback of the second version of the audio content comprises causing playback by a second playback device in the media playback system.
9. A playback device comprising:
program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executed by the processor, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:
identifying a first version of audio content for play back from a first source;
causing playback of the first version of the audio content;
identifying a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, wherein the playback device comprises a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic;
determining that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device;
identifying a second version of the audio content from a second source, wherein the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value, and wherein the second value of the audio characteristic is closer to the capability of the playback device;
10. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the audio characteristic comprises a number of audio channels for playback, wherein the first value of the number of audio channels of the first version of the audio content is a first number, wherein the playback device is grouped in a media playback system with other playback devices such that the capability of the playback device comprises a second number of audio channels for playback, and wherein the second value of the number of audio channels for the second version of the audio content is the second number.
11. The playback device of claim 9, wherein playing back the first version of the audio content comprises playing back the first version of the audio content
before identifying the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content.
12. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:
13. The playback device of claim 12, wherein the playback device is a first playback device in a media playback system, wherein the audio characteristic is a number of audio channels for playback, and wherein determining the update to the capability of the first playback device comprises determining that a second playback device in the media playback system has been grouped with the first playback device for synchronous playback.
14. The playback device of claim 12, wherein the audio characteristic comprises a sample rate, and wherein the update to the capability of the playback device comprises a change in the network bandwidth associated with the playback device.
15. The playback device of claim 9, wherein identifying the second version of the audio content from the second source comprises searching available sources for the second version of the audio content having the second value.
16. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the playback device is a first playback device in a media playback system, and wherein causing playback of the second version of the audio content comprises causing playback by a second playback device in the media playback system.
17. The playback device of claim 9, wherein identifying the first value for the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content comprises sampling the first version of the audio content.
18. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for causing a playback device to perform functions comprising:
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