Network Addressible Loudspeaker and Audio Play

Abstract

Methods and systems for network addressable loudspeakers and audio play are presented. One or more network addressable loudspeakers are registered at a server. An end user selects a network addressable loudspeaker to output audio, and an audio file is streamed from an audio source to the selected network addressable loudspeaker.

1 . A system for audio play comprising:
 a server;   a network addressable loudspeaker comprising:
 an audio output transducer; 
 a network interface; 
 a processor; 
 a computer readable memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the network addressable loudspeaker to register with the server, receive an audio signal via the network interface, and output the audio signal through the audio output transducer; 
   an audio source storing one or more audio files; and   a control device operable to communicate with the server and select the network addressable loudspeaker from a plurality of network addressable loudspeakers to receive a streaming audio file from the audio source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio source, the control device, and the network addressable loudspeaker are decoupled from one another and distributed at different network addresses within a communications network. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network addressable loudspeaker are decoupled from both the audio source and the control device at a different network address within a communications network. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device is a mobile phone, portable computer, or desktop PC. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio source is located on the control device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio source is a website. 
     
     
         7 . A network addressable loudspeaker comprising:
 a network interface;   an amplifier;   an audio output transducer;   a processor;   a computer readable memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the network addressable loudspeaker to be registerable with a remote server, receive an audio signal via the network interface, and output the audio signal through the audio output transducer; and   a housing enclosure, the housing enclosure including an access port for the audio output transducer, wherein the amplifier, the processor, and the computer readable memory are disposed within the housing enclosure.   
     
     
         8 . The network addressable loudspeaker of  claim 7 , wherein the network interface comprises a wireless transceiver. 
     
     
         9 . The network addressable loudspeaker of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless transceiver comprises a Bluetooth or 802.11 transceiver. 
     
     
         10 . The network addressable loudspeaker of  claim 7 , further comprising an electronic identifier used for addressing the network addressable loudspeaker on a network. 
     
     
         11 . The network addressable loudspeaker of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic identifier used for addressing the network addressable loudspeaker on a network is a Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         12 . A system for audio play comprising:
 a first network addressable speaker; and   a second network addressable speaker, wherein an audio is output or selectable to be output at the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker responsive to a proximity of an electronic device to the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic device is a wireless device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the wireless device is a headset, a mobile phone, or a key FOB. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker is selected automatically based on the proximity to the electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the proximity of the electronic device to the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker is determined utilizing a wireless link. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the proximity of the electronic device to the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker is determined utilizing a received signal strength indication. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic device is a wearable device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first network addressable speaker has a first Internet Protocol address and the second network addressable speaker has a second Internet Protocol address. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the audio is received from a remote device having a network address different from a first network addressable speaker network address and a second network addressable speaker network address.