Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130014015 | User Interfaces for Controlling and Manipulating Groupings in a Multi-Zone Media System - In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group. | 01-10-2013 |
20130191749 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING A PLAYLIST BY METADATA - Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein. | 07-25-2013 |
20130219273 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING SINGLE AND INTERNET RADIO ITEMS IN A PLAY QUEUE - Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein. | 08-22-2013 |
20130243199 | Controlling and grouping in a multi-zone media system - Techniques for grouping or pairing individual audio products with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment are disclosed. In instead of grouping selected players to play back an audio item, a user is allowed to activate one of the players to process the data of the audio item, essentially separating the data into individual streams, each of the streams representing a single-sound track and being played back in one of the players, thus creating a multi-channel listening environment with the selected players. | 09-19-2013 |
20130251174 | Controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system - In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. | 09-26-2013 |
20130253679 | Controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system - In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. | 09-26-2013 |
20130254207 | Method and apparatus for managing a playlist by metadata - Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein. | 09-26-2013 |
20130254695 | User Interface to provide additional information on a selected item in a list - Techniques pertaining to efficient scrolling a list are disclosed. One of the features of the efficient scrolling is to provide a graphic user interface that displays items in the list so that a user may scroll the list using a scroll wheel. After an item is highlighted for a predefined time, an information panel is automatically displayed to show hidden information associated with the item. The information panel is superimposed in an area of the graphic user interface, without obstructing the highlighted item. | 09-26-2013 |
20130254707 | User Interface to enable users to scroll through a large list of items - Techniques pertaining to efficient scrolling are disclosed. One of the features of the efficient scrolling is the enablement of a search right at an appropriate item in a large list of items, thus avoiding going through the long list and wandering back and forth around a desired item. According to one embodiment, an indexing display is used. The indexing display includes a list of indexes, each corresponding to a group of items that sharing one or more common characteristics (e.g., a character or a kind). The indexing display is allowed first to be scrolled for a desired index. Once the desired index is confirmed, searching for a desired item in the large list starts at an item indexed by the desired index. | 09-26-2013 |
20130288802 | User Interfaces for Controlling and Manipulating Groupings in a Multi-Zone Media System - In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293345 | Controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system - In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. | 11-07-2013 |
20140181661 | USER INTERFACE TO ENABLE USERS TO SCROLL THROUGH A LARGE LIST OF ITEMS - Techniques pertaining to efficient scrolling are disclosed. One of the features of the efficient scrolling is the enablement of a search right at an appropriate item in a large list of items, thus avoiding going through the long list and wandering back and forth around a desired item. According to one embodiment, an indexing display is used. The indexing display includes a list of indexes, each corresponding to a group of items that sharing one or more common characteristics (e.g., a character or a kind). The indexing display is allowed first to be scrolled for a desired index. Once the desired index is confirmed, searching for a desired item in the large list starts at an item indexed by the desired index. | 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 |
20140286507 | Multi-Channel Pairing in a Media System - Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein enable two or more playback devices to be paired, such that multi-channel audio is achieved. Such embodiments may be used to produce stereo and multi-channel audio environments for television and movies. | 09-25-2014 |
20140361867 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UPDATING ZONE CONFIGURATIONS IN A MULTI-ZONE SYSTEM - In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. | 12-11-2014 |
20150058727 | Zone Configuration Based on Playback Selections - An example method includes displaying zone names via a display interface. Each zone name represents a respective particular zone of a plurality of zones, and each zone contains at least one player configured for multimedia playback in that zone. The method includes displaying playback selections including a first playback selection that identifies first multimedia content for playback by the first zone and a second playback selection that identifies second multimedia content for playback by the second zone. The method includes receiving a command for a zone group to play one of the first playback selection or the second playback selection. The method includes transmitting a zone group configuration to one of the first zone and the second zone. The zone group configuration includes instructions to facilitate synchronized playback, between the first zone and the second zone, of the identified one of the first playback selection and the second playback selection. | 02-26-2015 |
20150091692 | Zone Configurations Maintained by Playback Device - Systems and methods to control a plurality of multimedia players in one or more groups are disclosed. For example, in a network including a plurality of independent playback devices, an example method includes maintaining, by an independent playback device, a zone configuration, the zone configuration characterizing one or more zone scenes. Each zone scene identifies a group configuration associated with two or more of the plurality of independent playback devices. The example method includes transmitting, by the independent playback device via a network interface, the zone configuration to a controller device. Additionally, an example playback device is disclosed which is configured to maintain a zone configuration, the zone configuration characterizing one or more zone scenes, each zone scene identifying a group configuration associated with two or more of a plurality of independent playback devices; and transmit, via a network interface, the zone configuration to a controller device. | 04-02-2015 |
20150180434 | Gain Based on Play Responsibility - Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. An example method includes receiving an audio signal containing a range of audio frequencies; amplifying, according to a gain parameter, the audio signal to be reproduced by at least one speaker. The example method includes automatically increasing the gain parameter to a higher gain parameter responsive to a determination that no more than a subset of the range of audio frequencies is to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. The example method includes amplifying, according to the higher gain parameter, the audio signal containing no more than the subset of the range of audio frequencies to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. | 06-25-2015 |
20150181336 | Multi-Channel Pairing in a Media System - Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein enable two or more playback devices to be paired, such that multi-channel audio is achieved. Such embodiments may be used to produce stereo and multi-channel audio environments for television and movies. | 06-25-2015 |
20150261397 | User Interface - An example implementation involves a control device displaying on a graphical user interface, an indicator positioned with respect to a particular multimedia item in a displayed list of a plurality of multimedia items. After displaying the indicator on the graphical user interface for a first predefined time, the control device displays on the graphical user interface, an information panel obstructing a portion of the displayed list, the information panel providing information associated with the particular multimedia item that is not shown in the displayed list. After displaying the information panel for a second predefined time, the control device terminates display of the information panel. | 09-17-2015 |
20150277737 | Track Playback - Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to manage tracks and/or other multimedia items are disclosed. An example method includes displaying on an interface of a computing device, a plurality of tracks in a sequential order. The example method receiving, via the interface, an input to play a particular track from the plurality of tracks, wherein the particular track is at a particular position in the sequential order. The example method displaying on the interface, a queue comprising at least a subset of the plurality of tracks to be played after playback of the particular track, wherein each track in the subset of the plurality of tracks is at a different position in the sequential order than the particular position of the particular track. | 10-01-2015 |
20150326986 | Pair Volume Control - An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices. | 11-12-2015 |
20150331662 | "Updating Zone Configuration in a Multi-Zone Media System" - An example method includes receiving, from a first playback device of a playback system, a message indicating a first zone configuration, the first zone configuration including at least a first zone associated with at least the first playback device and a second zone associated with at least a second playback device of the playback system; displaying, based on the first zone configuration, at least a first representation corresponding to the first zone and a second representation corresponding to the second zone; receiving an input to form a zone group including each playback device of the playback system; based on the input, transmitting to a third playback device of the playback system, a message indicating a second zone configuration, the second zone configuration comprising a zone group associated with each playback device of the system; and displaying, based on the second zone configuration, a third representation corresponding to the zone group. | 11-19-2015 |
20150347085 | Multi-Channel Pairing in a Media System - Systems and methods for output of audio content are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a processor. The example processor is configured to at least process audio content to determine a portion of the audio content to be output by the first playback device based on a type of pairing of the first playback device and the audio content. The example processor is configured to at least determine, when the type of pairing pairs the first playback device with a second playback device to output the audio content, a time delay to facilitate sound synchronization with the second playback device. The example processor is configured to at least configure, based on the type of pairing and the time delay, the first playback device to output the portion of the audio content via an amplifier and a plurality of speaker drivers. | 12-03-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140037107 | Volume Interactions for Connected Playback Devices - Methods and systems are provided for, volume interactions for connected playback device. In one example, a plurality of playback devices may be rendering audio in synchrony, when a volume adjustment is made for the plurality of playback devices as a group. In one case, a first playback device in the plurality of playback devices may have a volume limit, as indicated by a state variable associated with the first playback device. In this case, the resulting volume adjustment for the first playback device may be made according to both the group volume adjustment and the volume limit of the first playback device. | 02-06-2014 |
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 |
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 |
20150180435 | Volume Interactions for Connected Playback Devices - Methods and systems are provided for volume interactions for connected playback devices. In one example, a playback device applies a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device. The playback device receives data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices. The playback device determines that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device. Based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, the playback device adjusts the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment. | 06-25-2015 |
20150248268 | Playback Zone Representations - Method and systems are provided for displaying playback zone representations in a controller interface for a media playback system. A representation of a first playback zone in the media playback system may be displayed according to a collapsed format, and a representation of a second playback zone in the media playback system may be displayed in a position directly below the representation of the first playback zone. Upon determining that the first playback zone is associated with media content, an updated representation of the first playback zone may be displayed according to an expanded format that is larger than the collapsed format. The representation of the second playback zone may then be displayed in a position directly below the updated representation of the first playback zone. | 09-03-2015 |
20150333719 | Volume Interactions for Connected Playback Devices - Methods and systems are provided for volume interactions for connected playback devices. In one example, a playback device applies a state variable update associated with the playback device. The playback device may be one of a plurality of playback devices, and the state variable update may indicate a limited volume range associated with the playback device. The playback device renders audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices. The playback device receives input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device and adjusts a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range. | 11-19-2015 |