# How Smart Speakers Adapt Sound to Your Room and Listening Spot > This patent describes a system that automatically adjusts how spatial audio sounds in a room by sensing speaker locations, listener position, and room acoustics, then dynamically calibrating the sound output. - **Patent:** US 11178503 - **Original title:** System for rendering and playback of object based audio in various listening environments - **Owner:** Dolby Laboratories Licensing - **Granted:** 2021 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, telecommunications ## What it does This system controls an audio environment by first automatically figuring out where each loudspeaker is located (claim 1). It also gathers detailed acoustic information, called loudspeaker profile information, from each speaker's individual sound-producing parts, or drivers. The system then automatically determines where a listener is sitting in the room. It takes in special audio data designed for spatial sound and uses microphones, some of which can be built into the speakers, to understand the room's unique sound characteristics. Based on all this information—speaker locations, speaker profiles, listener position, and room characteristics—the system renders, or processes, the audio data. It then calibrates this rendered audio to perfectly match the room and listener, providing the adjusted sound to the speakers. For example, if you add a new speaker, the system automatically detects it and adjusts the sound rendering (claim 9). ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover audio systems where loudspeaker locations are manually entered or fixed, rather than automatically determined by the system. - Does not cover systems that do not automatically determine the listener's position in the audio environment. - Does not cover audio playback systems that only handle traditional stereo or mono audio, without spatial audio-based sound data. - Does not cover systems that lack microphones to automatically sense and calibrate for the room's specific acoustic characteristics. - Does not cover systems that cannot dynamically adjust their sound output when loudspeakers are added or removed from the setup. ## The clever bit The truly clever part is the system's ability to automatically sense and adapt to its environment. It dynamically determines speaker positions, listener location, and room acoustics, then continuously adjusts the spatial audio rendering. This means the sound is always optimized without manual intervention, even if speakers are moved or added. ## Real-world examples 1. Dolby Atmos home theater systems 2. High-end soundbars with automatic room calibration 3. Smart speakers with integrated acoustic tuning features 4. Professional audio setups that self-configure for different venues ## Why it matters This technology is crucial for delivering immersive audio experiences, like those found in home theaters and advanced sound systems. It simplifies the setup process for users by automating complex calibration steps that previously required manual adjustments or professional installers. By adapting sound to the specific room and listener, it ensures a consistent and high-quality audio experience, regardless of the environment's acoustics or speaker placement. This enables more accessible and effective deployment of spatial audio technologies. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Smart Speakers Adapt Sound to Your Room and Listening Spot cover? This patent describes a system that automatically adjusts how spatial audio sounds in a room by sensing speaker locations, listener position, and room acoustics, then dynamically calibrating the sound output. ### Who owns patent US 11178503? Dolby Laboratories Licensing owns this patent, granted in 2021. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on August 24, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 11178503 cited by? This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology is crucial for delivering immersive audio experiences, like those found in home theaters and advanced sound systems. It simplifies the setup process for users by automating complex calibration steps that previously required manual adjustments or professional installers. By adapting sound to the specific room and listener, it ensures a consistent and high-quality audio experience, regardless of the environment's acoustics or speaker placement. This enables more accessible and effective deployment of spatial audio technologies. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover audio systems where loudspeaker locations are manually entered or fixed, rather than automatically determined by the system. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11178503/system-for-rendering-and-playback-of-object-based-audio-in-various-listening-env **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11178503 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Smart Speaker System Adapts Sound Based on Speaker Placement](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11743673/audio-processing-apparatus-and-method-therefor) — This patent describes an audio system that intelligently chooses how to play different parts of a sound through different speakers, adapting its method based on where each speaker is placed in a room. - [How a Device Renders Immersive Sound Objects Using Speaker Virtualization](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10743125/audio-processing-apparatus-with-channel-remapper-and-object-renderer) — Dolby's patent describes an audio processing system that takes individual sound elements, like a buzzing bee, and places them precisely in a 3D space using smart software that makes speakers sound like they are in different locations. - [How a Speaker Bounces Sound Off the Ceiling for Wider Audio](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11006212/upward-firing-loudspeaker-having-asymmetric-dispersion-for-reflected-sound-rende) — This patent describes a speaker system with special upward-firing drivers and slots designed to bounce high-frequency sound off a ceiling, creating a wider, more immersive listening experience. - [How Wearable Tech Uses 3D Sound to Guide Visually Impaired People](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10362429/find-my-network) — A system that builds a 3D map of the world and uses spatial audio to act as a virtual guide, helping visually impaired users navigate around obstacles. - [How Voice Assistants Change Their Speech Based on How You Talk](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10276149/dynamic-text-to-speech-output) — This patent describes a system where a voice-controlled device adjusts its text-to-speech output characteristics, like speed or tone, based on the user's speaking habits or current situation, making responses feel more natural and personalized.