Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130076651 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CHANGE CONTROL CENTEXTS OF CONTROLLERS - Methods and apparatus to change control contexts of controllers are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a touch screen to display a user interface; a controller to control a first physical playback device of a first zone when in a first control context and to control a second physical playback device of a second zone when in a second control context; a swipe detector to monitor a designated area of a user interface for a swipe of the touch screen; and a context changer to change the controller from operating in the first control context to operating in the second control context in response to a detected swipe. | 03-28-2013 |
20130173034 | Methods and Systems to Select an Audio Track - Embodiments including methods and apparatus to select an audio track are disclosed. An example method includes detecting first and second playback conditions. The example method also includes comparing an audio track property of an audio track to the first and second playback conditions to determine if the first audio track property matches the first and/or second playback condition. In addition, the example method includes comparing a second audio track property of the audio track to the first and second playback conditions to determine if the second audio track property matches the first and/or second playback condition. Also, the example method includes selecting the audio track for presentation to a user when the first playback condition matches the first and/or second audio track property and the second playback condition matches the first and/or second audio track property. | 07-04-2013 |
20130246916 | Context-Based User Music Menu Systems and Methods - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide content to a playback network are disclosed. An example method includes displaying an indicator of multimedia content to a user via a graphical user interface. The example method includes enabling a multiselect state to allow the user to select multiple items from a browseable list of indicators associated with multimedia content. The example method includes providing a context-sensitive menu including a plurality of options associated with playback of selected items based on enablement of the multiselect state. The example method includes applying an option to each of the selected items based on user selection. The example method includes passing information regarding the multimedia content to a playback system including one or more multimedia playback devices in response to user selection of the option. | 09-19-2013 |
20130317635 | Audio Content Auditioning - Systems and methods are provided for playback of audio content in an “audition mode.” A system may be providing audio content to be rendered by a group of playback devices, when receiving a request to audition a second audio content with at least one playback device from the group of playback devices. The system may then suspend rendering of the first audio content at the at least one playback device, and provide the second audio content to be rendered by the at least one playback device for a duration of time. Upon exiting audition mode, either by completion of the second audio content, expiration of the duration of time, or request to exit audition mode, the system may resume rendering of the first audio content by the at least one playback device. | 11-28-2013 |
20140094943 | Audio Content Playback Management - Systems and methods are provided for adding audio content to a playback queue. In one example, a method involves receiving a request to add automated streaming audio content to a particular playback position in a playback queue. The playback queue may indicate a plurality of audio content and a corresponding playback position associated with each of the plurality of audio content for playback. The method further involves determining a playback duration for the automated streaming audio content, adding the automated streaming audio content to the playback queue at the particular playback position, and causing the automated streaming audio content to be rendered at the particular playback position in the playback queue for the determined playback duration. The automated streaming audio content may include discrete automated streaming audio content and/or continuous automated streaming audio content. Respective examples for adding discrete and continuous automated streaming audio content are also provided. | 04-03-2014 |
20140156641 | Media Content Search Based on Metadata - Embodiments are provided for querying a media server for media content based on user-selected metadata associated with first media while the first media is being experienced by a user. In one embodiment, at least one metadata associated with the first media may be displayed for the user to review while the first media is being experienced by the user. The user may then select a displayed metadata to initiate a search for media content based on the selected metadata. The search for media content may be performed by querying a media server associated with a selection of media content services. The user may then review the results of the media query, select media content from the results, and initiate further action, such as adding the media content to a digital repository, or purchasing the media content. | 06-05-2014 |
20140176298 | Connected State Indicator - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176299 | Playback Zone Silent Connect - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181199 | Playback Queue Control Transition - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181654 | Playback Queue Control via a Playlist on a Mobile Device - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181655 | Moving a Playback Queue to a New Zone - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181656 | Playlist Modification - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181658 | Controlling and Displaying Zones in a Multi-Zone System - A multimedia controller for controlling and displaying zones in a multi-zone system is provided. In one example the controller is configured to provide a user interface for a plurality of zones, wherein each zone of the plurality of zones includes at least one player in a local area network. The controller is also configured to accept via the user interface, an input to display a list of the zones in the local area network, and to identify, for each zone of the plurality of zones, a state associated with each zone of the plurality of zones. The controller is also configured to display the list of the zones, wherein the list of the zones identifies each zone of the plurality of zones, and wherein the list of zones is ordered at least according to the state associated with each respective zone of the plurality of zones. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181659 | Accessing Last-Browsed Information in a Media Playback System - Embodiments are discussed for providing an indication of information previously accessed, or “browsed,” by a user on a control device of a media playback system, irrespective of a prior graphical display on the control device. The embodiments may involve causing a graphical display to provide a visual indication of a selectable region, receiving selection data that indicates a selection of the selectable region, irrespective of a prior graphical display and in response to receiving the selection data, identifying browse data that was most-recently accessed by the control device, where the browse data includes an indication of one or more playable media items, and causing the graphical display to provide a visual indication of the one or more playable media items indicated by the identified browse data. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181997 | Private Queue Indicator - Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states. | 06-26-2014 |
20140201197 | Dynamic Display of Filter Criteria - Embodiments are described herein that provide a dynamic display of filter criteria on a control device of a media playback system. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves (a) causing a graphical display of a computing device to display (i) a first set of filter criteria and (ii) search results that include at least a plurality of media-source identifiers that identify a plurality of respective media sources, (b) receiving by the computing device selection data that indicates a selection of one of the plurality of media-source identifiers, (c) determining by the computing device a second set of filter criteria based on the selected media-source identifier, where the second set of filter criteria is different from the first set of filter criteria, and (d) causing the graphical display to display the determined second set of filter criteria. | 07-17-2014 |
20140201635 | Media Playback System Controller Having Multiple Graphical Interfaces - Embodiments are described herein that provide a media playback system controller with multiple graphical interfaces. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves (a) causing a graphical display to provide a first graphical interface including at least (i) a first input region and (ii) a first representation of a media item, (b) receiving a first input data indicating a selection within the first input region, (c) based on the received first input data, causing the graphical display to provide a second graphical interface including at least (i) an active region, (ii) an inactive region, and (iii) a second representation of the media item, (d) receiving a second input data indicating a selection within the active region, and (e) based on the received second input data, causing the graphical display to provide one or more media playback controls. | 07-17-2014 |
20140310316 | Playlist Update in a Media Playback System - Embodiments are provided for updating a playlist that has been added to a playback queue in response to changes to the playback queue. The playback queue may be associated with a zone of a network media system such that items in the playback queue are to be rendered by the zone. The playlist may include one or more items playable by the zone, and may be stored separately from where the playback queue is maintained. Embodiments are also provided for updating a playback queue in response to modifications to a playlist included in the playback queue. In some cases, a user modifying the playlist or playback queue may be prompted upon making the modifications whether to also apply the modification to the playback queue or playlist, respectively. | 10-16-2014 |
20150025661 | ASSOCIATING PLAYBACK DEVICES WITH PLAYBACK QUEUES - An example method includes receiving a first command by a device to group a first playback device with at least a second playback device for synchronous audio playback. In the example method, the group is associated with a first playback queue comprising a list of one or more items for playback by the group. The example method includes, for as long as the playback device is in the group, receiving a second command by the device to remove the first playback device from the group, wherein the first playback device is ungrouped and automatically associated with a second playback queue. In the example method, the second playback queue comprises a list of one or more items for playback by the playback device. | 01-22-2015 |
20150051723 | Audio Content Auditioning by Playback Device - A first playback device may include a processor and data storage including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the first playback device to: playback a first audio content in synchrony with at least one second playback device; receive a command to play back a second audio content; stop playback of the first audio content based on the received command; and after stopping playback of the first audio content, play back the second audio content for a predefined duration of time. The program code may then cause the first playback device to: (i) after playing back the second audio content, resume playback of the first audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device, or (ii) play back the second audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device. | 02-19-2015 |