Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between receive times when frames are received from electronic devices and expected transmit times of the frames. For example, the expected transmit times may be based on coordination of clocks in the electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub at a previous time and a predefined transmit schedule of the frames. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display (such as a cellular telephone) provides a wireless remote control for an entertainment device (such as a consumer-electronic device). Based on device-state information that specifies a current state of the entertainment device (which is determined by an audio/video (A/V) hub that communicates with the entertainment device) and one or more related states of the entertainment device, the A/V hub may generate user-interface information that specifies a user interface that includes one or more virtual command icons. Note that the one or more related states are related to the current state in a state diagram by corresponding operations that transition the entertainment device from the current state to the one or more related states. Then, the A/V hub provides the user interface to the portable electronic device. In this way, the A/V hub device dynamically adapts the user interface.

Abstract: An electronic device with a microphone is used to determine a transfer function of an environment (and, more generally, an acoustic characteristic). In particular, the electronic device may use the microphone to perform acoustic measurements when the electronic device is proximate to a speaker in the environment. Then, based on the acoustic measurements and a first predetermined transfer function of the speaker, the electronic device may calculate a transfer function of the microphone in a band of frequencies. Moreover, the electronic device may use the microphone to perform additional acoustic measurements in the environment that includes the speaker. Next, based on the additional acoustic measurements, the transfer function of the microphone and a second predetermined transfer function of the speaker, the electronic device may determine the transfer function of the environment in the same or a different band of frequencies.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display (such as a cellular telephone) provides a wireless remote control for an entertainment device (such as a consumer-electronic device). Based on device-state information that specifies a current state of the entertainment device (which is determined by an audio/video (A/V) hub that communicates with the entertainment device) and one or more related states of the entertainment device, the A/V hub may generate user-interface information that specifies a user interface that includes one or more virtual command icons. Note that the one or more related states are related to the current state in a state diagram by corresponding operations that transition the entertainment device from the current state to the one or more related states. Then, the A/V hub provides the user interface to the portable electronic device. In this way, the A/V hub device dynamically adapts the user interface.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display (such as a cellular telephone) provides a wireless remote control for an entertainment device (such as a consumer-electronic device). Based on device-state information that specifies a current state of the entertainment device (which is determined by an audio/video (A/V) hub that communicates with the entertainment device) and one or more related states of the entertainment device, the A/V hub may generate user-interface information that specifies a user interface that includes one or more virtual command icons. Note that the one or more related states are related to the current state in a state diagram by corresponding operations that transition the entertainment device from the current state to the one or more related states. Then, the A/V hub provides the user interface to the portable electronic device. In this way, the A/V hub device dynamically adapts the user interface.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display (such as a cellular telephone) provides a wireless remote control for an entertainment device (such as a consumer-electronic device). Based on device-state information that specifies a current state of the entertainment device (which is determined by an audio/video (A/V) hub that communicates with the entertainment device) and one or more related states of the entertainment device, the A/V hub may generate user-interface information that specifies a user interface that includes one or more virtual command icons. Note that the one or more related states are related to the current state in a state diagram by corresponding operations that transition the entertainment device from the current state to the one or more related states. Then, the A/V hub provides the user interface to the portable electronic device. In this way, the A/V hub device dynamically adapts the user interface.

Abstract: In order to maintain performance during wireless communication, a transmitting electronic device may concurrently and independently communicate redundant information to a receiving electronic device. In particular, information associated with a data stream may be communicated to the receiving electronic device using one or more channels by two radios using one or more wireless local area network communication protocols. The packets transmitted by the radios may preferentially include the same information. Moreover, the transmitting electronic device may attempt to maintain the redundant communication if a performance metric associated with the one or more channels degrades. For example, the transmitting electronic device may transfer communication to a different channel or may compress the information in the packets in the one or more channels if the throughput drops below a threshold value.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that determines an environment of a portable electronic device is described. In particular, the A/V hub may identify the environment based on performance information about communication between the portable electronic device and receiver devices (which was received from the receiver devices), and a history of behavior of an individual associated with the portable electronic device and the A/V hub. Alternatively, the A/V hub may identify the environment based on performance information about communication between the portable electronic device and the A/V hub and the portable electronic device and another A/V hub (which was received from the portable electronic device and/or the other A/V hub), and a history of behavior of an individual associated with the portable electronic device and the A/V hub. Based on the determination, the A/V hub provides an instruction to power on an A/V display device in the environment.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that identifies A/V content is described. In particular, A/V hub may identify the A/V content based on an image associated with the A/V content in a user interface that was selected by a user. For example, the user interface may include, at different locations, images (such as thumbnail images) that are associated with different A/V content. When the user selects the A/V content associated with one of the images, the A/V hub may request the A/V content from a content provider. However, while the A/V content is indirectly requested based on the location (i.e., based on the user's actions or user-interface activity), the specific A/V content may be unknown to A/V hub. Consequently, the A/V hub may identify the A/V content by performing image analysis on the image based on predefined available A/V content from the content provider.

Abstract: In response to identifying a type of change in audio/video (A/V) content that was received from a content source, an A/V hub may generate display instructions specifying a display layout of the A/V content on a display in an A/V display device, and may provide the display instructions and the A/V content to the display to dynamically modify the display of the A/V content. For example, the A/V hub may display the A/V content in a central window of the display. This may involve swapping the A/V content with other A/V content that was previously displayed in the central window, and the other A/V content may be displayed in a tiled window (which may be smaller than the central window and may be located proximate to a periphery of the display). Alternatively, the A/V hub may display the A/V content in a new tiled window of the display.

Abstract: In order to maintain performance during wireless communication, a transmitting electronic device may concurrently and independently communicate redundant information to a receiving electronic device. In particular, information associated with a data stream may be communicated to the receiving electronic device using one or more channels by two radios using one or more wireless local area network communication protocols. The packets transmitted by the radios may preferentially include the same information. Moreover, the transmitting electronic device may attempt to maintain the redundant communication if a performance metric associated with the one or more channels degrades. For example, the transmitting electronic device may transfer communication to a different channel or may compress the information in the packets in the one or more channels if the throughput drops below a threshold value.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub includes a state-detection circuit coupled to at least one pin in a high-definition multimedia-interface input connector, which can electrically couple to an entertainment device. When electrically coupled to the entertainment device, the state-detection circuit establishes a ground loop between the electronic device and the entertainment device. A control circuit in the A/V hub detects whether there is electrical coupling with the entertainment device using the state-detection circuit. When the electrical coupling is detected, the control circuit provides a set of first control commands associated with different types of entertainment devices until, in response, content activity is detected via the input connector.

Abstract: An electronic device with a microphone is used to determine a transfer function of an environment (and, more generally, an acoustic characteristic). In particular, the electronic device may use the microphone to perform acoustic measurements when the electronic device is proximate to a speaker in the environment. Then, based on the acoustic measurements and a first predetermined transfer function of the speaker, the electronic device may calculate a transfer function of the microphone in a band of frequencies. Moreover, the electronic device may use the microphone to perform additional acoustic measurements in the environment that includes the speaker. Next, based on the additional acoustic measurements, the transfer function of the microphone and a second predetermined transfer function of the speaker, the electronic device may determine the transfer function of the environment in the same or a different band of frequencies.

Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm (12) comprising a woven fibre body supports damping material (25), for example PVA polymer, on a rearward-facing surface (24). The woven fibre body may be formed of lengths (14) non-metallic fibre material (for example glass fibre) coating with a thin metal coating (32). The mass of the layer of damping material (25) may be significantly greater than the mass of the woven fibre body. An attractive sparkly looking loudspeaker diaphragm (12) may thus be provided which damps undesirable vibration whilst providing a flatter frequency-response curve (50).

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices (such as electronic devices that include speakers) and a clock in the A/V hub based on measured sound corresponding to one or more acoustic-characterization patterns, one or more times when the electronic devices output the sound and the one or more acoustic-characterization patterns. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets. Moreover, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between receive times when frames are received from electronic devices and expected transmit times of the frames. For example, the expected transmit times may be based on coordination of clocks in the electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub at a previous time and a predefined transmit schedule of the frames. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets.

Abstract: An electronic device that coordinates a playback operation is described. In particular, an interface circuit in the electronic device may calculate, based on differences between transmit times when packets were transmitted by a second electronic device and receive times of the packets, relative drift as a function of time between a clock in the interface circuit and a second clock in the second electronic device. Then, the interface circuit may adjust, based on the relative drift, a clock circuit that provides the clock to eliminate the relative drift, and may determine a remaining time offset between the clock and the second clock. Next, the interface circuit may modify a future time when the electronic device is to perform the playback operation based on the remaining time offset to determine a corrected future time, and the electronic device may perform the playback operation at the corrected future time.

Abstract: A processor in an electronic device may coordinate an interface clock in the electronic device with a second interface clock in a second electronic device based on time-coordination information received in packets from the second electronic device. Then, the processor captures timing information associated with the interface clock provided by an interface clock circuit to increase a resolution of a system clock. Moreover, the processor may track, using the timing information, relative drift as a function of time between the system clock and the interface clock, and may determine, based on the relative drift, an estimated time offset between the interface clock and the system clock at the future time. Next, the processor modifies a future time when the electronic device is to perform the playback operation based on the estimated time offset to determine a corrected future time, and may perform the playback operation at the corrected future time.

Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that selectively determines one or more acoustic characteristics of an environment that includes the A/V hub is described. In particular, the A/V hub may detect, using wireless communication, an electronic device (such as a speaker) in the environment. Then, the A/V hub may determine a change condition, such as when the electronic device was not previously detected in the environment and/or a change in a location of the electronic device. In response to determining the change condition, the A/V hub may transition into a characterization mode. During the characterization mode, the A/V hub may: provide instructions to the electronic device to playback audio content at a specified playback time; determine one or more acoustic characteristics of the environment based on acoustic measurements in the environment; and store the one or more acoustic characteristics and/or a location of the electronic device in memory.

Abstract: An electronic device that reduces relative drift is described. In particular, an interface circuit in the electronic device may calculate, based on differences between transmit times when packets were transmitted by a second electronic device and receive times of the packets, relative drift as a function of time between a clock in the interface circuit and a second clock in the second electronic device. Then, the interface circuit may adjust, based on the relative drift, a clock circuit that provides the clock to eliminate the relative drift, and may store the adjustments to the clock circuit. Furthermore, when a wireless reset occurs, the interface circuit may adapt the clock circuit based on the stored adjustments to reduce the relative drift while the interface circuit restores frequency lock with the second clock based on additional packets with additional transmit times that are received from the second electronic device.