Patent Description:
Audio amplifiers, such as Class-D amplifiers, have a supply voltage for internal control circuits of the amplifier and a separate power supply input for the output of the amplifier. Such amplifiers suffer from inefficiencies caused by power dissipation which can be represented by the formula P = FNCV<NUM>, where P represents power dissipated, F represents frequency, N represents the number of transistors, C represents capacitance, and V represents the voltage. As exemplified by this formula, reducing the voltage to the amplifier would exponentially reduce the amount of power dissipated which in turn would increase the amplifier's efficiency.

But reducing voltage supplied to the amplifier necessarily reduces the performance of the amplifier since the amount of power provided to the amplifier is correspondingly reduced. Merely indiscriminately reducing the voltage without consideration of other factors associated with a playback device in which the amplifier is implemented and/or the content being played would significantly degrade the user experience while content is output through the amplifier.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for audio processing including a first device (e.g., a multiplier, digital signal gain module, etc.) adapted to apply a gain to a first digital audio signal to generate a second digital audio signal; a second device (e.g., a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), etc.) adapted to generate an analog audio signal from the second digital audio signal; a third device (e.g., a detector, sensor, user interface, etc.) adapted to generate an audio characteristic signal related to a characteristic of the first or second digital audio signal, or the analog audio signal; and a fourth device (e.g., a controller, control module, etc.) adapted to control the gain of the first device based on a first function of the audio characteristic signal, and control a power supplied to the second device based on a second function of the audio characteristic signal.

<CIT> discloses an amplifier circuit that comprises an input, for receiving an input signal to be amplified; a preamplifier, for amplifying the input signal based on a variable gain; a power amplifier for amplifying the signal output from the preamplifier; and a variable voltage power supply for supplying one or more supply voltages to the power amplifier. The supply voltages are adjusted based on the variable gain or the input digital signal. According to other disclosed examples, a power supply of an amplifier circuit is clocked using a clock signal, whereby the clock signal has a frequency that varies in accordance with a volume signal or an input signal.

<CIT> discloses an audio amplifier, wherein an entire gain determination section calculates an entire gain Ga from a first table storage section based on an input from an input section and outputs the entire gain Ga to an output peak level determination section and a second gain determination section. On the other hand, the output peak level determination section detects Vip that is information relating to a peak level of an input signal, from a peak level detection means and determines an output peak level Vop based on the Vip and the value of the entire gain Ga. A control voltage determination section determines a control voltage Vsi with which a variable output voltage power source has a power supply voltage Vso. A first gain determination section determines a first gain G1 based on the power supply voltage Vso of the variable output voltage power source, and a second gain coefficient determination section determines a coefficient α with a gain of a second gain varying means as G2 from the second gain G2 of the second gain determination section.

<CIT> discloses digital amplifying circuitry that delays a digital data signal to produce an output signal. The delayed digital data signal is converted to an analog signal for amplifying by an amplifier. Signal amplitude information contained in the incoming digital data signal is detected during the delaying. The signal amplitude information is converted to a first control signal in response to which an adjustable maximum available supply current of the amplifier is produced of least sufficient magnitude to avoid distortion during the amplifying to produce the output signal. The signal amplitude information also is converted to a second control signal in response to which a supply voltage of the amplifier is controlled.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a playback device as specified in claim <NUM>. The playback device may optionally be as specified in any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method as specified in claim <NUM>. The method may optionally be as specified in any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable device as specified in claim <NUM>.

Provided herein are system, apparatus, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using technology in innovative ways to provide enhanced power regulation of an audio amplifier. An embodiment is directed to system, apparatus, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for intelligently generating a voltage signal based on metadata associated with a playback device having an amplifier and the content to be played on the playback device. In a non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is a playback device that includes a media processor and a memory having voltage control code stored therein. When the playback device executes the code, the media processor generates a voltage control signal. In an embodiment, the playback device includes an amplifier, such as a Class-D amplifier and a voltage regulator in communication with the amplifier, that regulates voltage provided to the amplifier. The playback device also includes a volume control unit that provides settings metadata associated with a user volume setting of the playback device, and a content source configured to provide content metadata associated with content to be output by the amplifier.

Another embodiment is directed to system, apparatus, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for granularly generating a voltage control signal based on metadata. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method includes receiving, by a media processor of a playback device, the settings metadata from a volume control unit, and generating, based on the settings metadata, a voltage control signal. The method also includes adjusting, based on the voltage control signal, a voltage level that is provided to an amplifier of the playback device, wherein the voltage control signal indicates the voltage level from a number of predefined voltage levels.

Approaches to solve the power dissipation issue in amplifiers often rely on analysis of an audio signal of the content to be played. This analysis determines the audio amplitude of the content from which the supply voltage can be reduced or increased. However, this approach requires a tradeoff between performance of the amplifier with the quality of the playback of the content because of the potentially unpredictable changes in the audio signal. Strict fidelity between the voltage supplied and the audio signal may result in "pumping" the amplifier (i.e., rapid increases and decreases in volume level) and causing audible artifacts during playback. Loosening the fidelity between the voltage and the audio signal would result in losing the benefits of a voltage control scheme.

Some schemes attempt to avoid such artifacts by introducing a delay in the audio pipeline so as to provide a "look-ahead" of the audio signal. But this approach raises additional issues especially for combined audio-video systems where synchronization between the audio and the video must be tightly controlled to enhance the user experience.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a multimedia environment <NUM>, according to some embodiments. In a non-limiting example, multimedia environment <NUM> is directed to playing content, such as video content (having associated audio) and/or audio content, on a media system <NUM>. The content may be stored locally in a device in media system <NUM> and/or streamed over network <NUM> from content server <NUM> where the content may be stored in content database <NUM>.

Multimedia environment <NUM> may include one or more media systems <NUM> and one or more content servers <NUM> communicatively coupled via network <NUM>. In various embodiments, network <NUM> may include, without limitation, wired and/or wireless intranet, extranet, Internet, cellular, Bluetooth and/or any other short range, long range, local, regional, global communications network, as well as any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, media system <NUM> includes a display device <NUM>, media device <NUM>, remote control <NUM>, and audiovisual (A/V) device <NUM>. Although only a single device representing each of display device <NUM>, media device <NUM>, remote control <NUM>, and A/V device <NUM> is illustrated within media system <NUM>, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that media system <NUM> may comprise more than one of these devices.

Display device <NUM> may be implemented as, for example, a monitor, television, computer, smart phone, tablet, and/or projector. Display device <NUM> may support <NUM> or <NUM> HDR, for example. Display device <NUM> may include any number of ports for receiving video and audio content. Depending on the type and/or age of display device <NUM>, these ports may be implemented as different HDMI ports such as an HDMI <NUM> port, an HDMI <NUM> port, HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) port, an HDML Mobile High-Definition Link port, or an HDMI, Digital Video In (DVI) port, to name just a few examples.

Media device <NUM> may be implemented as, for example, a streaming media device, DVD device, audio/video playback device, cable box, video game consoles, Blu-ray disc players, and/or digital video recording device. Media device <NUM> may include any number of ports for outputting video content. Depending on the type and/or age of media device <NUM>, these ports may also be implemented as different HDMI ports as described above with regard to display device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the media device <NUM> can be a part of, integrated with, operatively coupled to, and/or connected to display device <NUM>. The media device <NUM> may be configured to communicate with network <NUM>.

In an embodiment, A/V device <NUM> may be implemented within media system <NUM> for connecting display device <NUM> and media device <NUM>. In an embodiment, more than one media device may be included in media system <NUM>, and A/V device <NUM> may serve as a hub for receiving audio and video signals from multiple sources within media system <NUM>. For example, A/V device <NUM> may be connected to display device <NUM> and the media device <NUM> within media system <NUM>.

Interaction with media device <NUM> may be via remote control <NUM>. Remote control <NUM> can be any component, part, apparatus or method for controlling media device <NUM>, display device <NUM>, and/or A/V device <NUM>, such as a remote control, a tablet, laptop computer, smartphone, on-screen controls, integrated control buttons, or any combination thereof.

As will be discussed in more detail with respect to <FIG>, a playback device <NUM>, which may be implemented as any combination of media device <NUM>, display device <NUM>, and/or A/V device <NUM>, may include components for analyzing metadata associated with content to be played at the playback device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the metadata includes settings metadata associated with the settings of the playback device <NUM> and/or content metadata associated with the content to be played on the playback device <NUM>. For example, settings metadata includes information regarding current settings, such as a current volume setting or current system activity, of the playback device <NUM> in media system <NUM> such as display device <NUM>, media device <NUM>, and/or A/V device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the current volume setting is associated with a volume setting that is received as input from a user operating the playback device <NUM>. The input may be received directly through an interaction with the playback device <NUM> or from remote control <NUM>. Current volume setting may be contrasted with the audio levels of the content in one respect: the current volume setting is a setting established by a user of the playback device <NUM> and is not dependent on the changes in audio level of the audio signal which could lead to the "pumping" effect described above. In another embodiment, the current system activity is a type of activity currently being performed by the playback device <NUM> such as playing music content, watching video content, browsing web content, and/or playing game content.

Content metadata includes information about the content such as content type (video, audio, gaming, etc.) and audio type (classical audio, heavy metal, ambient, pop, electronic, etc). In an embodiment, content metadata is known by the playback device <NUM> prior to playback and may be pre-processed prior to playing the content in order to optimize the voltage control capabilities of devices in media system <NUM>.

Content server(s) <NUM> may include content database <NUM> to store content such as video content (having audio) and/or audio content. Content may include any combination of music, videos, movies, TV programs, multimedia content, productivity applications, browsing applications, gaming applications, advertisements, software, and/or any other content or data objects in electronic form.

Control server(s) <NUM> may include preprocessor <NUM> for performing the preprocessing of metadata in addition to or independent of media system <NUM>. In an embodiment, control server(s) <NUM> receives metadata of content to be played at media system <NUM> and processes the metadata for generating voltage control information and/or a voltage control signal that is provided to the playback device <NUM> for adjusting the voltage of an amplifier in the playback device <NUM>. In another embodiment, control server(s) <NUM> generates voltage control information which includes instructions for generating the voltage control signal, and transmits the voltage control information to the playback device <NUM> for generating the voltage control signal. In an embodiment, control server(s) <NUM> retrieves metadata locally based on information transmitted from media system(<NUM>) <NUM> and utilizes locally retrieved metadata.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a playback device <NUM>, according to some embodiments. In an embodiment, playback device <NUM> may include media processor <NUM>, volume control unit <NUM>, content source <NUM>, voltage regulator <NUM>, amplifier <NUM>, power supply <NUM>, speaker <NUM>, and memory <NUM>. The following discussion of playback device <NUM> will refer to devices of <FIG> as an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of playback device.

In an embodiment, playback device <NUM> is implemented by at least one of display device <NUM>, media device <NUM>, and A/V device <NUM> of media system <NUM> as described with respect to <FIG>. In another embodiment, playback device <NUM> is implemented as some combination of display device <NUM>, media device <NUM>, and A/V device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, remote control <NUM> transmits commands (or instructions) to playback device <NUM> (e.g., display device <NUM>, media device <NUM>, and/or A/V device <NUM>) for controlling playback settings of content through playback device <NUM>. In another embodiment, playback device <NUM> receives the commands directly from an interface (not shown) such as button or touch inputs located on the exterior of playback device <NUM>. The commands may be associated with controlling playback settings for content having audio information to be output by playback device <NUM>. The content may include a movie, TV show, music, book, application, and a game, to name just a few examples.

Media processor <NUM> may include control processor <NUM>, audio source <NUM>, and digital-to-analog converter <NUM>. In an embodiment, media processor <NUM> is responsible for generating a voltage control signal for the purpose of regulating the amount of voltage that is utilized by amplifier <NUM>. As noted above, in an embodiment, amplifier <NUM> is a class-D amplifier. Components of media processor <NUM> that contribute to generating the voltage control signal include control processor <NUM>, audio source <NUM>, and digital-to-analog converter <NUM>.

The voltage control signal may be generated based on metadata associated with playback device <NUM>, such as settings metadata, and with the content to be output by amplifier <NUM>, such as content metadata. Control processor <NUM> may receive settings metadata from other components in playback device <NUM>. Settings metadata may include volume setting information from volume control unit <NUM>. Volume setting information may be a current volume value of playback device <NUM>. In an embodiment, referring back to <FIG>, volume control unit <NUM> receives volume control commands from remote control <NUM> such as commands increasing or decreasing the volume setting of playback device <NUM>. In an embodiment, volume control unit <NUM> receives volume settings from another device in media system <NUM>, and the voltage control signal generated by media processor <NUM> may be transmitted from playback device <NUM> to a voltage regulator located in the other device in media system <NUM>.

Another example of settings metadata includes information about current system activity of playback device <NUM> such as whether playback device <NUM> is playing video or audio content from a local source, streaming video or audio content from a remote source over a network, a browser displaying content from a website, and/or executing an application such as a game.

Control processor <NUM> may receive content metadata from other components in playback device <NUM> such as content source <NUM>. In an embodiment, content metadata may include information regarding the content to be played but, in some embodiments, does not include the audio signal itself as is utilized in other approaches described above. Content metadata may include, but is not limited to, the type of content to be played (e.g., video, audio, application) and the genre of the content (e.g., video - horror, action, romantic comedy, audio - pop, classical, heavy metal, rap, application - browser, game).

In an embodiment, control processor <NUM> implements a voltage control algorithm that takes as input the metadata (e.g., settings metadata, content metadata) and generates the voltage control signal based on the metadata. The voltage control signal can be provided by media processor <NUM> to voltage regulator <NUM> which utilizes the voltage signal to control the voltage provided to amplifier <NUM>. In an embodiment, the voltage control signal is generated based on the settings metadata the voltage control algorithm generates.

According to the invention, the voltage control signal is generated before the content is output by amplifier <NUM> and stored (or otherwise associated) with the content so that the voltage signal does not need to be generated again. The metadata and generated voltage control signal associated with content when it is first output by amplifier <NUM> may be stored in memory <NUM>. When the same content is played again (e.g., on repeat), media processor <NUM> may retrieve the generated voltage control signal and provide the signal to voltage regulator <NUM>. As a non-limiting example, playback device <NUM> may store the volume setting information associated with playback of the content including whether the volume setting was changed during a particular moment of playback. In other words, the volume setting information represents the volume setting of playback device <NUM> throughout the playback of the content. Accordingly, the generated voltage control signal may then regulate voltage provided to amplifier <NUM> throughout the playback of the content.

In an embodiment, playback device <NUM> generates a voltage profile associated with different content. The voltage profile can store metadata associated with the content, and the generated voltage control signals associated with each playback of the content. For example, if the content is a music file, the music file's voltage profile may include the generated voltage control signal each time the music file has been played on playback device <NUM> (output through amplifier <NUM>). Any changes to the metadata that occur during subsequent playback of the content may be used to update the content's voltage profile, including the voltage control signal.

In another embodiment, the voltage control signal may be generated dynamically upon each playback of the content based on the metadata as described above. In an embodiment, the voltage control signal is generated based on content metadata, which is known prior to playback, and settings metadata, which may be updated during playback of the content (e.g., volume setting of playback device <NUM>). In general, metadata does not change as quickly as the audio level of the content and therefore, the voltage control signal generated based on the metadata provides smoother regulation of the voltage provided to amplifier <NUM> and avoids the "pumping" effect that is prevalent in prior art solutions as described above.

Audio source <NUM> is a component that retrieves audio information of content to be played and provides the audio information to amplifier <NUM> for output through speaker <NUM>.

According to the invention, the playback device <NUM> includes digital-to-analog converter <NUM>. When implemented in playback device <NUM>, digital-to-analog converter <NUM> provides increased granularity for voltage control. In this embodiment, control processor <NUM> generates a voltage control signal on a linear scale (e.g., from a minimum to a maximum amount of voltage). If playback device <NUM> does not include digital-to-analog converter <NUM>, it may provide less granular control over the voltage but result in lower cost. In this embodiment, control processor <NUM> generates a voltage control signal having a number of discrete levels (e.g., low, medium, high) with regard to the amount of voltage that is provided to amplifier <NUM>.

As discussed above, volume control unit <NUM> provides volume setting information to media processor <NUM>. In an embodiment, volume setting information represents the current volume setting of playback device <NUM> and generally does not vary as much as the audio signal of content. In another embodiment, volume control unit <NUM> may be implemented in another device within media system <NUM> but still communicate with media processor <NUM> of playback device <NUM>.

Content source <NUM> may receive the content locally, such as from memory <NUM>, or remotely, such as from content server(s) <NUM> over the network <NUM>. Content server(s) <NUM> may transmit requested content to content source <NUM>. In an embodiment, playback device <NUM> may play the content and output the audio from the content through amplifier <NUM> and speaker <NUM>. In another embodiment, playback device <NUM> may transmit the content to another device within media system <NUM>. For example, if playback device <NUM> is implemented as media device <NUM>, playback device <NUM> may transmit content to display device <NUM> and A/V device <NUM>.

As discussed above, voltage regulator <NUM> regulates voltage from power supply <NUM> based on the voltage control signal received from media processor <NUM>.

As noted above, amplifier <NUM> receives a voltage from voltage regulator <NUM> and audio information to be output through speaker <NUM> from media processor <NUM>. In an embodiment, amplifier <NUM> is a class-D amplifier.

Power supply <NUM>, internal to playback device <NUM>, generates and outputs an internal power voltage to voltage regulator <NUM>. In some embodiments, power supply <NUM> may be external to playback device <NUM>.

Speaker <NUM> may be implemented within playback device <NUM>, as a separate device external to playback device <NUM>, or as a component within another device within media system <NUM>. Speaker <NUM> receives the audio output from amplifier <NUM>.

In some embodiments, memory <NUM> may store code or control logic that, when executed, causes media processor <NUM> to generate voltage control instructions based on metadata associated with playback device <NUM> (e.g., settings metadata) and the content (e.g., content metadata). In an embodiment, playback device <NUM> may be external to display device <NUM> and connected to a port of display device <NUM> by, for example, a physical cable or a wireless connection. In another embodiment, media device <NUM> may be a component of display device <NUM> and is connected to other components of display device <NUM> by, for example, a physical bus. In another embodiment, media device <NUM> may be a component of A/V device <NUM> and is connected to other components of A/V device <NUM> by, for example, a physical bus.

<FIG> is a flowchart for generating a voltage control signal according to some embodiments. As a non-limiting example with regard to <FIG>, the steps of method <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be performed by playback device <NUM> to generate a voltage control signal for controlling voltage of playback device <NUM>. In such an embodiment, playback device <NUM> may execute code in memory <NUM> to perform method <NUM> of <FIG>. While method <NUM> of <FIG> will be discussed below as being performed by playback device <NUM>, other devices including control server <NUM> may store the code and therefore may execute method <NUM> by directly executing the code. For example, in some embodiments, an external server, such as content server(s) <NUM> and/or control server <NUM>, may store code for executing method <NUM>. The following discussion of method <NUM> will refer to devices of <FIG> and <FIG> as an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of method <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> receives settings and/or content metadata. Media processor <NUM> may utilize settings metadata and content metadata individually or in combination with each other to generate a voltage control signal. In an embodiment, settings metadata is received from a different source than content metadata. For example, settings metadata may be received from volume control unit <NUM> and/or memory <NUM> and content metadata may be received from content source and/or memory <NUM>. Volume control unit <NUM> may provide settings metadata in real-time as the metadata changes while the content is being played by playback device <NUM>. For example, volume control unit <NUM> may provide volume settings information to media processor <NUM> as the volume of playback device <NUM> is updated (e.g., when a user changes the volume during playback of content).

In another embodiment, settings and/or content metadata may be received from the same source. In an embodiment, settings and/or content metadata is received from memory <NUM> when the content has been previously played at playback device <NUM> and/or the metadata associated with the content has been already cached.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> receives content to be output through amplifier <NUM>. Content may be video, music, or an application with sound, to name just a few examples. In an embodiment, settings metadata and content metadata may be received after or concurrently with content to be played by playback device <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> determines whether a voltage control signal has been previously generated for the content to be played on playback device <NUM> (i.e., output by speaker <NUM>). In an embodiment, media processor <NUM> performs this determination by querying memory <NUM> using a content identifier associated with the content to retrieve any data, such as a previously generated voltage control signal, associated with the content. This may involve comparing the content identifier of the content with an identifier that is associated with any voltage control signals that are stored in memory <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, if a voltage control signal has not been previously generated, then media processor <NUM> processes the received metadata using a voltage control algorithm implemented by control processor <NUM>. In an embodiment, the voltage control algorithm is selected from a plurality of voltage control algorithms stored in playback device <NUM>. Voltage control algorithm may be selected based on the metadata and/or the content to be played; there may be a specific voltage control algorithm associated with the metadata and/or the content to be played. For example, there may be different voltage control algorithms for different types of content such as a voltage control algorithm for video content and a different voltage control algorithm for audio content. In an embodiment, output of the voltage control algorithm is voltage control information such as a desired voltage to be output by voltage regulator <NUM>. In another embodiment, voltage control information may represent a desired voltage range.

The received metadata is provided as input to the voltage control algorithm. In an embodiment, the received metadata includes volume setting information of playback device <NUM> where the volume setting information has a value that is configured by a user of playback device <NUM> through, for example, remote control <NUM> or through directly interacting with playback device <NUM> (such as through button or touch input). For example, the voltage control algorithm may establish a direct relationship between the volume setting information and the voltage control signal where a lower volume value may result in a voltage control signal that lowers the voltage provided to amplifier <NUM>. As noted above, depending on the implementation of media processor <NUM> (e.g., number of pins, implementation of a digital-to-analog converter within media processor <NUM>), the voltage control algorithm may have different levels of granularity.

In one embodiment, the voltage control algorithm generates a voltage control signal that results in discrete levels of voltage such as low, medium and high. In an embodiment where there are three discrete levels, a specific range of volume values (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) may be associated with low voltage, another specific range may be associated with medium voltage (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), and another range may be associated with high voltage (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>). This embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of the correspondence between the metadata and the voltage control signal. For example, additional metadata in addition or alternative to volume may be utilized.

In another embodiment, the voltage control algorithm may generate a voltage control signal that results in a linear scale of voltage and the algorithm may establish a direct one-to-one correspondence between the metadata and the voltage control signal. For example, a volume value of zero may result in zero voltage instructed by the voltage control signal.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> generates a voltage control signal based on the processed metadata and the voltage control algorithm.

In step <NUM>, if a voltage control signal has been previously generated for the content as determined in step <NUM>, then media processor <NUM> retrieves the stored voltage control signal, for example, from memory <NUM>. In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> may update the retrieved voltage control signal. Updating the retrieved voltage control signal may include processing any metadata (as previously discussed in step <NUM>) associated with the content including metadata that is received prior to playback of the content (e.g., content type) and/or metadata that is received concurrent to playback of the content (e.g., volume information, system activity).

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> transmits the generated or updated voltage control signal to voltage regulator <NUM>, and the content to be played to amplifier <NUM>. In an embodiment, voltage regulator <NUM> and amplifier <NUM> may be implemented in the same device as media processor <NUM>. In another embodiment, voltage regulator <NUM> and amplifier <NUM> may be implemented in separate devices from media processor <NUM>. The voltage control signal may then control voltage regulator <NUM> by regulating the voltage provided from voltage regulator <NUM> to amplifier <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for generating a voltage control signal in a distributed manner according to some embodiments. As a non-limiting example with regard to <FIG>, the steps of method <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be performed by playback device <NUM> to generate a voltage control signal for controlling voltage of playback device <NUM>. In such an embodiment, playback device <NUM> may execute code in memory <NUM> to perform method <NUM> of <FIG>. While method <NUM> of <FIG> will be discussed below as being performed by playback device <NUM>, other devices including control server <NUM> may store the code and therefore may execute method <NUM> by directly executing the code. For example, in some embodiments, an external server, such as content server(s) <NUM> and/or control server <NUM>, may store code for executing method <NUM>. The following discussion of method <NUM> will refer to devices of <FIG> and <FIG> as an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of method <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> determines whether to process metadata locally at playback device <NUM>. This determination may be based on the capabilities of playback device <NUM>, code stored in memory <NUM> that instruct metadata to be processed locally, remotely at a server, or both, or the content that is to be played at playback device <NUM>. For example, if content is being streamed from a remote source such as from content server <NUM> or control server <NUM>, voltage control information associated with the content may be received from the remote source. In an embodiment, the voltage control information is received, at playback device <NUM>, concurrently with the content to be played.

In step <NUM>, if the metadata is not to be processed locally (e.g., in a distributed manner), then media processor <NUM> may transmit the metadata to a server such as control server <NUM>. In an embodiment, media processor <NUM> may only transmit a content identifier which the server may use to retrieve the metadata from another source other than playback device <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> receives voltage control information from the server. In an embodiment, the server processes the metadata similar to what is described with respect to step <NUM> of <FIG>.

In step <NUM>, if the metadata is to be processed locally at playback device <NUM> as determined in step <NUM>, then media processor <NUM> may select a voltage control algorithm from a plurality of voltage control algorithms. The selection may be based on the content to be played and/or the metadata.

In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> inputs the metadata to the voltage control algorithm which in turn generates voltage control information. In step <NUM>, media processor <NUM> generates a voltage control signal based on the received or generated voltage control information.

Various embodiments and/or components therein can be implemented, for example, using one or more computer systems, such as computer system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Computer system <NUM> can be any computer or computing device capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, one or more computer systems <NUM> can be used to implement any embodiments of <FIG>, and/or any combination or sub-combination thereof.

Processor <NUM> may be implemented as a media processor such as described above with respect to media processor <NUM>.

One or more processors <NUM> can each be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In some embodiments, a GPU is a processor that is a specialized electronic circuit designed to process mathematically intensive applications. The GPU can have a parallel structure that is efficient for parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematically intensive data common to computer graphics applications, images, videos, etc..

Computer system <NUM> also includes a main or primary memory <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory <NUM> can include one or more levels of cache. Main memory <NUM> has stored therein control logic (i.e., computer software) and/or data.

Computer system <NUM> can also include one or more secondary storage devices or memory <NUM>. Secondary memory <NUM> can include, for example, a hard disk drive <NUM> and/or a removable storage device or drive <NUM>. Removable storage drive <NUM> can be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup device, and/or any other storage device/drive.

Removable storage drive <NUM> can interact with a removable storage unit <NUM>. Removable storage unit <NUM> can be a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/ any other computer data storage device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, secondary memory <NUM> can include other means, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computer programs and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed by computer system <NUM>. Such means, instrumentalities or other approaches can include, for example, a removable storage unit <NUM> and an interface <NUM>. Examples of the removable storage unit <NUM> and the interface <NUM> can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

Computer system <NUM> can further include a communication or network interface <NUM>. For example, communication interface <NUM> can allow computer system <NUM> to communicate with remote devices <NUM> over communications path <NUM>, which can be wired and/or wireless, and which can include any combination of LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Control logic and/or data can be transmitted to and from computer system <NUM> via communication path <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a tangible apparatus or article of manufacture comprising a tangible computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored thereon is also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer system <NUM>, main memory <NUM>, secondary memory <NUM>, and removable storage units <NUM> and <NUM>, as well as tangible articles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system <NUM>), causes such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

The Summary and Abstract sections can set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit this disclosure or the appended claims in any way.

Claim 1:
A playback device (<NUM>), comprising:
an amplifier (<NUM>);
a voltage regulator (<NUM>);
a volume control unit (<NUM>) configured to receive settings metadata associated with a volume setting of the playback device (<NUM>);
a digital-to-analog converter (<NUM>) configured to convert a digital voltage control signal into an analog voltage control signal;
a content source (<NUM>) configured to provide content metadata associated with content to be output by the amplifier (<NUM>); and
a media processor (<NUM>) configured to:
receive the settings metadata and the content metadata;
generate, based on the settings metadata and the content metadata, a digital voltage control signal;
transmit the digital voltage control signal to the digital-to-analog converter (<NUM>) for conversion into the analog voltage control signal;
receive the analog voltage control signal from the digital-to-analog converter (<NUM>);
transmit the analog voltage control signal to the voltage regulator (<NUM>) to control the voltage regulator by regulating a voltage provided to the amplifier (<NUM>); and
characterized in that the media processor (<NUM>) is further configured to store, in a memory of the playback device (<NUM>), the digital voltage control signal with the content to be output by the amplifier (<NUM>).