U.S. patent application number 14/205343 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for playback zone representations.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONOS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sonos, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephanie Hughes, Mike Lemmon.
Application Number | 20150261493 14/205343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54068948 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150261493 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lemmon; Mike ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
Playback Zone Representations
Abstract
Method and systems are provided for displaying a control
representation in a playback zone representation provided on a
playback zones view interface. The playback zones view interface
allows a user to view and navigate between playback zones in a
media playback system, and the control representation in the
playback zone representation is selectable to allow the user to
control playback of media content in the corresponding playback
zone from the playback zones view interface without having to
navigate to a particular playback control interface corresponding
to the playback zone.
Inventors: |
Lemmon; Mike; (Seattle,
WA) ; Hughes; Stephanie; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sonos, Inc. |
Santa Barbara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONOS, INC.
Santa Barbara
CA
|
Family ID: |
54068948 |
Appl. No.: |
14/205343 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/716 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/43615 20130101;
G06F 3/0482 20130101; G06F 3/04847 20130101; G06F 3/165 20130101;
G06F 3/04817 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/16 20060101
G06F003/16; G06F 3/0484 20060101 G06F003/0484; G06F 3/0482 20060101
G06F003/0482 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: displaying in a playback zones view
interface, a playback zone representation corresponding to a
playback zone of a media playback system; and displaying in the
playback zone representation, a control representation selectable
to modify playback of media content by the playback zone.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to displaying
the playback zone view interface, receiving an input to play media
content from a service provider in one or more playback zones in
the media playback system.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the input is received from an
application corresponding to the service provider.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control representation is a
volume representation selectable to modify a playback volume by the
playback zone.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising: in response to a
selection of the of the volume representation, sending a message to
one or more playback devices in the playback zone indicating a
volume at which the playback zone is to play media content.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein playback modifications caused by
a selection of the control representations comprises one or more of
the following: (a) playing the media content, (b) pausing playback
of the media content, (c) fast forwarding the media content, (d)
rewinding the media content, (e) skipping to a next media item in
the media content, (f) skipping to a previous media item in the
media content, (g) entering a shuffle playback mode, (h) exiting a
shuffle playback mode, (i) entering a repeat playback mode, (j)
exiting a repeat playback mode, (k) entering a media cross fade
mode, and (l) exiting a media crossfade mode.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving an input
indicating a selection of the control representation; and sending a
message to one or more playback devices in the playback zone to
cause the playback zone to modify playback of media content
according to a corresponding modification.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to displaying
the control representation, receiving an input indicating that the
control representation is to be displayed in the playback zone
representation.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the input indicates a selection
of the playback zone representation.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the input indicates that the
playback zone is associated with media content.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the control
representation further comprises: modifying a dimensional size of
the zone representation.
12. A device comprising: a processor; and memory having stored
thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the
device to perform functions comprising: displaying in a playback
zones view interface, a playback zone representation corresponding
to a playback zone of a media playback system; and displaying in
the playback zone representation, a control representation
selectable to modify playback of media content by the playback
zone.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the functions further comprise:
prior to displaying the playback zone view interface, receiving an
input to play media content from a service provider in one or more
playback zones in the media playback system.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein the control representation is a
volume representation selectable to modify a playback volume by the
playback zone.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein playback modifications caused
by a selection of the control representations comprises one or more
of the following: (a) playing the media content, (b) pausing
playback of the media content, (c) fast forwarding the media
content, (d) rewinding the media content, (e) skipping to a next
media item in the media content, (f) skipping to a previous media
item in the media content, (g) entering a shuffle playback mode,
(h) exiting a shuffle playback mode, (i) entering a repeat playback
mode, (j) exiting a repeat playback mode, (k) entering a media
cross fade mode, and (l) exiting a media crossfade mode.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein the functions further comprise:
prior to displaying the control representation, receiving an input
indicating that the control representation is to be displayed in
the playback zone representation.
17. The device of claim 12, wherein the functions of displaying the
control representation further comprise: modifying a dimensional
size of the zone representation.
18. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon
instructions executable by a processor of a computing device to
cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:
displaying in a playback zones view interface, a playback zone
representation corresponding to a playback zone of a media playback
system; and displaying in the playback zone representation, a
control representation selectable to modify playback of media
content by the playback zone.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,
wherein the functions further comprise: prior to displaying the
playback zone view interface, receiving an input to play media
content from a service provider in one or more playback zones in
the media playback system.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,
wherein the control representation is a volume representation
selectable to modify a playback volume by the playback zone.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more
particularly, to methods, systems, products, features, services,
and other elements directed to media playback or some aspect
thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an
out-loud setting were limited until in 2003, when SONOS, Inc. filed
for one of its first patent applications, entitled "Method for
Synchronizing Audio Playback between Multiple Networked Devices,"
and began offering a media playback system for sale in 2005. The
Sonos Wireless HiFi System enables people to experience music from
a plethora of sources via one or more networked playback devices.
Through a software control application installed on a smartphone,
tablet, or computer, one can play what he or she wants in any room
that has a networked playback device. Additionally, using the
controller, for example, different songs can be streamed to each
room with a playback device, rooms can be grouped together for
synchronous playback, or the same song can be heard in all rooms
synchronously.
[0003] Given the ever growing interest in digital media, there
continues to be a need to develop consumer-accessible technologies
to further enhance the listening experience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed
technology may be better understood with regard to the following
description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
[0005] FIG. 1 shows an example media playback system configuration
in which certain embodiments may be practiced;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example
playback device;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example
control device;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows an example controller interface;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows an example flow diagram for displaying playback
zone representations;
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a first example of playback zone
representations;
[0011] FIG. 7 shows a second example of playback zone
representations;
[0012] FIG. 8A shows a third example of playback zone
representations;
[0013] FIG. 8B shows a fourth example of playback zone
representations; and
[0014] FIG. 8C shows a fifth example of playback zone
representations.
[0015] The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example
embodiments, but it is understood that the inventions are not
limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. Overview
[0016] Embodiments described herein involve displaying in a
playback zones view of a controller interface, a control
representation that is selectable by a user to modify playback of
media content by the playback zone. The control representation may
include one or more of a volume representation or playback control
representations such as a play icon, a pause icon, a skip forward
icon, or skip backward icon, among others. The playback zones view
of the controller interface displays playback zones and/or zone
groups of a media playback system and may be accessed by the user
to view and navigate between the different playback zones and/or
zone groups. As such, the embodiments of the present application
allow the user to control at least some aspects of media playback
by a playback zone or zone group directly from the playback zone
view, without having to navigate to a particular controller
interface for the playback zone or zone group.
[0017] In one example, the control representation is provided in
every playback zone representation shown in the playback zone view.
In another example, the control representation may be displayed
only when the playback zone representation is selected by the user,
or if the playback zone is associated with media content. In some
cases, the dimensional size of the zone representation may change
depending on whether the control representation is provided.
[0018] In one example, the embodiments of the present application
may be applied to a controller software application for the media
playback system. In another example, the embodiments may be applied
to a service provider application when a user wishes to use the
media playback system to play media content from the service
provider while accessing the service provider application.
[0019] As indicated above, the present application involves
displaying selectable control representations in playback zone
representations of a controller interface for a media playback
system. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method involves
displaying in a playback zones view interface, a playback zone
representation corresponding to a playback zone of a media playback
system, and displaying in the playback zone representation, a
control representation selectable to modify playback of media
content by the playback zone.
[0020] In another embodiment, a device is provided. The device
includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions
executable by the processor to cause the device to perform
functions. The functions include displaying in a playback zones
view interface, a playback zone representation corresponding to a
playback zone of a media playback system, and displaying in the
playback zone representation, a control representation selectable
to modify playback of media content by the playback zone.
[0021] In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer
readable memory is provided. The non-transitory computer readable
memory has stored thereon instructions executable by a computing
device to cause the computing device to perform functions. The
functions include displaying in a playback zones view interface, a
playback zone representation corresponding to a playback zone of a
media playback system, and displaying in the playback zone
representation, a control representation selectable to modify
playback of media content by the playback zone.
[0022] It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that this disclosure includes numerous other embodiments.
II. Example Operating Environment
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an example configuration of a media playback
system 100 in which one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be
practiced or implemented. The media playback system 100 as shown is
associated with an example home environment having several rooms
and spaces, such as for example, a master bedroom, an office, a
dining room, and a living room. As shown in the example of FIG. 1,
the media playback system 100 includes playback devices 102-124,
control devices 126 and 128, and a wired or wireless network router
130.
[0024] Further discussions relating to the different components of
the example media playback system 100 and how the different
components may interact to provide a user with a media experience
may be found in the following sections. While discussions herein
may generally refer to the example media playback system 100,
technologies described herein are not limited to applications
within, among other things, the home environment as shown in FIG.
1. For instance, the technologies described herein may be useful in
environments where multi-zone audio may be desired, such as, for
example, a commercial setting like a restaurant, mall or airport, a
vehicle like a sports utility vehicle (SUV), bus or car, a ship or
boat, an airplane, and so on.
a. Example Playback Devices
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example
playback device 200 that may be configured to be one or more of the
playback devices 102-124 of the media playback system 100 of FIG.
1. The playback device 200 may include a processor 202, software
components 204, memory 206, audio processing components 208, audio
amplifier(s) 210, speaker(s) 212, and a network interface 214
including wireless interface(s) 216 and wired interface(s) 218. In
one case, the playback device 200 may not include the speaker(s)
212, but rather a speaker interface for connecting the playback
device 200 to external speakers. In another case, the playback
device 200 may include neither the speaker(s) 212 nor the audio
amplifier(s) 210, but rather an audio interface for connecting the
playback device 200 to an external audio amplifier or audio-visual
receiver.
[0026] In one example, the processor 202 may be a clock-driven
computing component configured to process input data according to
instructions stored in the memory 206. The memory 206 may be a
tangible computer-readable medium configured to store instructions
executable by the processor 202. For instance, the memory 206 may
be data storage that can be loaded with one or more of the software
components 204 executable by the processor 202 to achieve certain
functions. In one example, the functions may involve the playback
device 200 retrieving audio data from an audio source or another
playback device. In another example, the functions may involve the
playback device 200 sending audio data to another device or
playback device on a network. In yet another example, the functions
may involve pairing of the playback device 200 with one or more
playback devices to create a multi-channel audio environment.
[0027] Certain functions may involve the playback device 200
synchronizing playback of audio content with one or more other
playback devices. During synchronous playback, a listener will
preferably not be able to perceive time-delay differences between
playback of the audio content by the playback device 200 and the
one or more other playback devices. U.S. Pat. No. 8,234,395
entitled, "System and method for synchronizing operations among a
plurality of independently clocked digital data processing
devices," which is hereby incorporated by reference, provides in
more detail some examples for audio playback synchronization among
playback devices.
[0028] The memory 206 may further be configured to store data
associated with the playback device 200, such as one or more zones
and/or zone groups the playback device 200 is a part of, audio
sources accessible by the playback device 200, or a playback queue
that the playback device 200 (or some other playback device) may be
associated with. The data may be stored as one or more state
variables that are periodically updated and used to describe the
state of the playback device 200. The memory 206 may also include
the data associated with the state of the other devices of the
media system, and shared from time to time among the devices so
that one or more of the devices have the most recent data
associated with the system. Other embodiments are also
possible.
[0029] The audio processing components 208 may include one or more
digital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing
component, an audio enhancement component or a digital signal
processor (DSP), and so on. In one embodiment, one or more of the
audio processing components 208 may be a subcomponent of the
processor 202. In one example, audio content may be processed
and/or intentionally altered by the audio processing components 208
to produce audio signals. The produced audio signals may then be
provided to the audio amplifier(s) 210 for amplification and
playback through speaker(s) 212. Particularly, the audio
amplifier(s) 210 may include devices configured to amplify audio
signals to a level for driving one or more of the speakers 212. The
speaker(s) 212 may include an individual transducer (e.g., a
"driver") or a complete speaker system involving an enclosure with
one or more drivers. A particular driver of the speaker(s) 212 may
include, for example, a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), a
mid-range driver (e.g., for middle frequencies), and/or a tweeter
(e.g., for high frequencies). In some cases, each transducer in the
one or more speakers 212 may be driven by an individual
corresponding audio amplifier of the audio amplifier(s) 210. In
addition to producing analog signals for playback by the playback
device 200, the audio processing components 208 may be configured
to process audio content to be sent to one or more other playback
devices for playback.
[0030] Audio content to be processed and/or played back by the
playback device 200 may be received from an external source, such
as via an audio line-in input connection (e.g., an auto-detecting
3.5 mm audio line-in connection) or the network interface 214.
[0031] The network interface 214 may be configured to facilitate a
data flow between the playback device 200 and one or more other
devices on a data network. As such, the playback device 200 may be
configured to receive audio content over the data network from one
or more other playback devices in communication with the playback
device 200, network devices within a local area network, or audio
content sources over a wide area network such as the Internet. In
one example, the audio content and other signals transmitted and
received by the playback device 200 may be transmitted in the form
of digital packet data containing an Internet Protocol (IP)-based
source address and IP-based destination addresses. In such a case,
the network interface 214 may be configured to parse the digital
packet data such that the data destined for the playback device 200
is properly received and processed by the playback device 200.
[0032] As shown, the network interface 214 may include wireless
interface(s) 216 and wired interface(s) 218. The wireless
interface(s) 216 may provide network interface functions for the
playback device 200 to wirelessly communicate with other devices
(e.g., other playback device(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), network
device(s), control device(s) within a data network the playback
device 200 is associated with) in accordance with a communication
protocol (e.g., any wireless standard including IEEE 802.11a,
802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile
communication standard, and so on). The wired interface(s) 218 may
provide network interface functions for the playback device 200 to
communicate over a wired connection with other devices in
accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). While
the network interface 214 shown in FIG. 2 includes both wireless
interface(s) 216 and wired interface(s) 218, the network interface
214 may in some embodiments include only wireless interface(s) or
only wired interface(s).
[0033] In one example, the playback device 200 and one other
playback device may be paired to play two separate audio components
of audio content. For instance, playback device 200 may be
configured to play a left channel audio component, while the other
playback device may be configured to play a right channel audio
component, thereby producing or enhancing a stereo effect of the
audio content. The paired playback devices (also referred to as
"bonded playback devices") may further play audio content in
synchrony with other playback devices.
[0034] In another example, the playback device 200 may be sonically
consolidated with one or more other playback devices to form a
single, consolidated playback device. A consolidated playback
device may be configured to process and reproduce sound differently
than an unconsolidated playback device or playback devices that are
paired, because a consolidated playback device may have additional
speaker drivers through which audio content may be rendered. For
instance, if the playback device 200 is a playback device designed
to render low frequency range audio content (i.e. a subwoofer), the
playback device 200 may be consolidated with a playback device
designed to render full frequency range audio content. In such a
case, the full frequency range playback device, when consolidated
with the low frequency playback device 200, may be configured to
render only the mid and high frequency components of audio content,
while the low frequency range playback device 200 renders the low
frequency component of the audio content. The consolidated playback
device may further be paired with a single playback device or yet
another consolidated playback device.
[0035] By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. presently offers (or has
offered) for sale certain playback devices including a "PLAY:1,"
"PLAY:3," "PLAY:5," "PLAYBAR," "CONNECT:AMP," "CONNECT," and "SUB."
Any other past, present, and/or future playback devices may
additionally or alternatively be used to implement the playback
devices of example embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it
is understood that a playback device is not limited to the example
illustrated in FIG. 2 or to the SONOS product offerings. For
example, a playback device may include a wired or wireless
headphone. In another example, a playback device may include or
interact with a docking station for personal mobile media playback
devices. In yet another example, a playback device may be integral
to another device or component such as a television, a lighting
fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.
b. Example Playback Zone Configurations
[0036] Referring back to the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1,
the environment may have one or more playback zones, each with one
or more playback devices. The media playback system 100 may be
established with one or more playback zones, after which one or
more zones may be added, or removed to arrive at the example
configuration shown in FIG. 1. Each zone may be given a name
according to a different room or space such as an office, bathroom,
master bedroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and/or
balcony. In one case, a single playback zone may include multiple
rooms or spaces. In another case, a single room or space may
include multiple playback zones.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the balcony, dining room, kitchen,
bathroom, office, and bedroom zones each have one playback device,
while the living room and master bedroom zones each have multiple
playback devices. In the living room zone, playback devices 104,
106, 108, and 110 may be configured to play audio content in
synchrony as individual playback devices, as one or more bonded
playback devices, as one or more consolidated playback devices, or
any combination thereof. Similarly, in the case of the master
bedroom, playback devices 122 and 124 may be configured to play
audio content in synchrony as individual playback devices, as a
bonded playback device, or as a consolidated playback device.
[0038] In one example, one or more playback zones in the
environment of FIG. 1 may each be playing different audio content.
For instance, the user may be grilling in the balcony zone and
listening to hip hop music being played by the playback device 102
while another user may be preparing food in the kitchen zone and
listening to classical music being played by the playback device
114. In another example, a playback zone may play the same audio
content in synchrony with another playback zone. For instance, the
user may be in the office zone where the playback device 118 is
playing the same rock music that is being playing by playback
device 102 in the balcony zone. In such a case, playback devices
102 and 118 may be playing the rock music in synchrony such that
the user may seamlessly (or at least substantially seamlessly)
enjoy the audio content that is being played out-loud while moving
between different playback zones. Synchronization among playback
zones may be achieved in a manner similar to that of
synchronization among playback devices, as described in previously
referenced U.S. Pat. No. 8,234,395.
[0039] As suggested above, the zone configurations of the media
playback system 100 may be dynamically modified, and in some
embodiments, the media playback system 100 supports numerous
configurations. For instance, if a user physically moves one or
more playback devices to or from a zone, the media playback system
100 may be reconfigured to accommodate the change(s). For instance,
if the user physically moves the playback device 102 from the
balcony zone to the office zone, the office zone may now include
both the playback device 118 and the playback device 102. The
playback device 102 may be paired or grouped with the office zone
and/or renamed if so desired via a control device such as the
control devices 126 and 128. On the other hand, if the one or more
playback devices are moved to a particular area in the home
environment that is not already a playback zone, a new playback
zone may be created for the particular area.
[0040] Further, different playback zones of the media playback
system 100 may be dynamically combined into zone groups or split up
into individual playback zones. For instance, the dining room zone
and the kitchen zone 114 may be combined into a zone group for a
dinner party such that playback devices 112 and 114 may render
audio content in synchrony. On the other hand, the living room zone
may be split into a television zone including playback device 104,
and a listening zone including playback devices 106, 108, and 110,
if the user wishes to listen to music in the living room space
while another user wishes to watch television.
c. Example Control Devices
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example
control device 300 that may be configured to be one or both of the
control devices 126 and 128 of the media playback system 100. As
shown, the control device 300 may include a processor 302, memory
304, a network interface 306, and a user interface 308. In one
example, the control device 300 may be a dedicated controller for
the media playback system 100. In another example, the control
device 300 may be a network device on which media playback system
controller application software may be installed, such as for
example, an iPhone.TM., iPad.TM. or any other smart phone, tablet
or network device (e.g., a networked computer such as a PC or
Mac.TM.).
[0042] The processor 302 may be configured to perform functions
relevant to facilitating user access, control, and configuration of
the media playback system 100. The memory 304 may be configured to
store instructions executable by the processor 302 to perform those
functions. The memory 304 may also be configured to store the media
playback system controller application software and other data
associated with the media playback system 100 and the user.
[0043] In one example, the network interface 306 may be based on an
industry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wired standards including
IEEE 802.3, wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b,
802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile communication
standard, and so on). The network interface 306 may provide a means
for the control device 300 to communicate with other devices in the
media playback system 100. In one example, data and information
(e.g., such as a state variable) may be communicated between
control device 300 and other devices via the network interface 306.
For instance, playback zone and zone group configurations in the
media playback system 100 may be received by the control device 300
from a playback device or another network device, or transmitted by
the control device 300 to another playback device or network device
via the network interface 306. In some cases, the other network
device may be another control device.
[0044] Playback device control commands such as volume control and
audio playback control may also be communicated from the control
device 300 to a playback device via the network interface 306. As
suggested above, changes to configurations of the media playback
system 100 may also be performed by a user using the control device
300. The configuration changes may include adding/removing one or
more playback devices to/from a zone, adding/removing one or more
zones to/from a zone group, forming a bonded or consolidated
player, separating one or more playback devices from a bonded or
consolidated player, among others. Accordingly, the control device
300 may sometimes be referred to as a controller, whether the
control device 300 is a dedicated controller or a network device on
which media playback system controller application software is
installed.
[0045] The user interface 308 of the control device 300 may be
configured to facilitate user access and control of the media
playback system 100, by providing a controller interface such as
the controller interface 400 shown in FIG. 4. The controller
interface 400 includes a playback control region 410, a playback
zone region 420, a playback status region 430, a playback queue
region 440, and an audio content sources region 450. The user
interface 400 as shown is just one example of a user interface that
may be provided on a network device such as the control device 300
of FIG. 3 (and/or the control devices 126 and 128 of FIG. 1) and
accessed by users to control a media playback system such as the
media playback system 100. Other user interfaces of varying
formats, styles, and interactive sequences may alternatively be
implemented on one or more network devices to provide comparable
control access to a media playback system.
[0046] The playback control region 410 may include selectable
(e.g., by way of touch or by using a cursor) icons to cause
playback devices in a selected playback zone or zone group to play
or pause, fast forward, rewind, skip to next, skip to previous,
enter/exit shuffle mode, enter/exit repeat mode, enter/exit cross
fade mode. The playback control region 410 may also include
selectable icons to modify equalization settings, and playback
volume, among other possibilities.
[0047] The playback zone region 420 may include representations of
playback zones within the media playback system 100. In some
embodiments, the graphical representations of playback zones may be
selectable to bring up additional selectable icons to manage or
configure the playback zones in the media playback system, such as
a creation of bonded zones, creation of zone groups, separation of
zone groups, and renaming of zone groups, among other
possibilities.
[0048] For example, as shown, a "group" icon may be provided within
each of the graphical representations of playback zones. The
"group" icon provided within a graphical representation of a
particular zone may be selectable to bring up options to select one
or more other zones in the media playback system to be grouped with
the particular zone. Once grouped, playback devices in the zones
that have been grouped with the particular zone will be configured
to play audio content in synchrony with the playback device(s) in
the particular zone. Analogously, a "group" icon may be provided
within a graphical representation of a zone group. In this case,
the "group" icon may be selectable to bring up options to deselect
one or more zones in the zone group to be removed from the zone
group. Other interactions and implementations for grouping and
ungrouping zones via a user interface such as the user interface
400 are also possible. The representations of playback zones in the
playback zone region 420 may be dynamically updated as playback
zone or zone group configurations are modified.
[0049] The playback status region 430 may include graphical
representations of audio content that is presently being played,
previously played, or scheduled to play next in the selected
playback zone or zone group. The selected playback zone or zone
group may be visually distinguished on the user interface, such as
within the playback zone region 420 and/or the playback status
region 430. The graphical representations may include track title,
artist name, album name, album year, track length, and other
relevant information that may be useful for the user to know when
controlling the media playback system via the user interface
400.
[0050] The playback queue region 440 may include graphical
representations of audio content in a playback queue associated
with the selected playback zone or zone group. In some embodiments,
each playback zone or zone group may be associated with a playback
queue containing information corresponding to zero or more audio
items for playback by the playback zone or zone group. For
instance, each audio item in the playback queue may comprise a
uniform resource identifier (URI), a uniform resource locator (URL)
or some other identifier that may be used by a playback device in
the playback zone or zone group to find and/or retrieve the audio
item from a local audio content source or a networked audio content
source, possibly for playback by the playback device.
[0051] In one example, a playlist may be added to a playback queue,
in which case information corresponding to each audio item in the
playlist may be added to the playback queue. In another example,
audio items in a playback queue may be saved as a playlist. In a
further example, a playback queue may be empty, or populated but
"not in use" when the playback zone or zone group is playing
continuously streaming audio content, such as Internet radio that
may continue to play until otherwise stopped, rather than discrete
audio items that have playback durations. In an alternative
embodiment, a playback queue can include Internet radio and/or
other streaming audio content items and be "in use" when the
playback zone or zone group is playing those items. Other examples
are also possible.
[0052] When playback zones or zone groups are "grouped" or
"ungrouped," playback queues associated with the affected playback
zones or zone groups may be cleared or re-associated. For example,
if a first playback zone including a first playback queue is
grouped with a second playback zone including a second playback
queue, the established zone group may have an associated playback
queue that is initially empty, that contains audio items from the
first playback queue (such as if the second playback zone was added
to the first playback zone), that contains audio items from the
second playback queue (such as if the first playback zone was added
to the second playback zone), or a combination of audio items from
both the first and second playback queues. Subsequently, if the
established zone group is ungrouped, the resulting first playback
zone may be re-associated with the previous first playback queue,
or be associated with a new playback queue that is empty or
contains audio items from the playback queue associated with the
established zone group before the established zone group was
ungrouped. Similarly, the resulting second playback zone may be
re-associated with the previous second playback queue, or be
associated with a new playback queue that is empty, or contains
audio items from the playback queue associated with the established
zone group before the established zone group was ungrouped. Other
examples are also possible.
[0053] Referring back to the user interface 400 of FIG. 4, the
graphical representations of audio content in the playback queue
region 440 may include track titles, artist names, track lengths,
and other relevant information associated with the audio content in
the playback queue. In one example, graphical representations of
audio content may be selectable to bring up additional selectable
icons to manage and/or manipulate the playback queue and/or audio
content represented in the playback queue. For instance, a
represented audio content may be removed from the playback queue,
moved to a different position within the playback queue, or
selected to be played immediately, or after any currently playing
audio content, among other possibilities. A playback queue
associated with a playback zone or zone group may be stored in a
memory on one or more playback devices in the playback zone or zone
group, on a playback device that is not in the playback zone or
zone group, and/or some other designated device.
[0054] The audio content sources region 450 may include graphical
representations of selectable audio content sources from which
audio content may be retrieved and played by the selected playback
zone or zone group. Discussions pertaining to audio content sources
may be found in the following section.
d. Example Audio Content Sources
[0055] As indicated previously, one or more playback devices in a
zone or zone group may be configured to retrieve for playback audio
content (e.g. according to a corresponding URI or URL for the audio
content) from a variety of available audio content sources. In one
example, audio content may be retrieved by a playback device
directly from a corresponding audio content source (e.g., a line-in
connection). In another example, audio content may be provided to a
playback device over a network via one or more other playback
devices or network devices.
[0056] Example audio content sources may include a memory of one or
more playback devices in a media playback system such as the media
playback system 100 of FIG. 1, local music libraries on one or more
network devices (such as a control device, a network-enabled
personal computer, or a networked-attached storage (NAS), for
example), streaming audio services providing audio content via the
Internet (e.g., the cloud), or audio sources connected to the media
playback system via a line-in input connection on a playback device
or network devise, among other possibilities.
[0057] In some embodiments, audio content sources may be regularly
added or removed from a media playback system such as the media
playback system 100 of FIG. 1. In one example, an indexing of audio
items may be performed whenever one or more audio content sources
are added, removed or updated. Indexing of audio items may involve
scanning for identifiable audio items in all folders/directory
shared over a network accessible by playback devices in the media
playback system, and generating or updating an audio content
database containing metadata (e.g., title, artist, album, track
length, among others) and other associated information, such as a
URI or URL for each identifiable audio item found. Other examples
for managing and maintaining audio content sources may also be
possible.
[0058] The above discussions relating to playback devices,
controller devices, playback zone configurations, and media content
sources provide only some examples of operating environments within
which functions and methods described below may be implemented.
Other operating environments and configurations of media playback
systems, playback devices, and network devices not explicitly
described herein may also be applicable and suitable for
implementation of the functions and methods.
III. Example Methods for Displaying Playback Zones
Representations
[0059] As mentioned above, embodiments described herein involve
displaying in a playback zones view of a controller interface, a
control representation that is selectable by a user to modify
playback of media content by the playback zone. Method 500 shown in
FIG. 5 presents an embodiment of a method that can be implemented
within an operating environment involving, for example, the media
playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more of the playback device
200 of FIG. 2, and one or more of the control device 300 of FIG. 3.
Method 500 may include one or more operations, functions, or
actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 502-504. Although
the blocks are illustrated in sequential order, these blocks may
also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than
those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined
into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed
based upon the desired implementation.
[0060] In addition, for the method 500 and other processes and
methods disclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and
operation of one possible implementation of present embodiments. In
this regard, each block may represent a module, a segment, or a
portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions
executable by a processor for implementing specific logical
functions or steps in the process. The program code may be stored
on any type of computer readable medium, for example, such as a
storage device including a disk or hard drive. The computer
readable medium may include non-transitory computer readable
medium, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores
data for short periods of time like register memory, processor
cache and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium
may also include non-transitory media, such as secondary or
persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical
or magnetic disks, compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for
example. The computer readable media may also be any other volatile
or non-volatile storage systems. The computer readable medium may
be considered a computer readable storage medium, for example, or a
tangible storage device. In addition, for the method 500 and other
processes and methods disclosed herein, each block in FIG. 5 may
represent circuitry that is wired to perform the specific logical
functions in the process.
[0061] At block 502, the method 500 involves displaying in a
playback zones view interface, a playback zone representations
corresponding to a playback zone of a media playback system. The
playback zone view interface may provide a playback zone
representation for each playback zone or zone group in a media
playback system, and may be accessed by a user to view and/or
navigate between the different playback zones.
[0062] In one example, referring back to the controller interface
400 of FIG. 4, the playback zones view interface may be an example
version of the playback zone region 420. In another case, the
playback zones view interface may represent one of multiple tabs or
views of a controller interface. For instance, if the controller
interface is provided on a device having a smaller display, such as
a mobile phone, the device may display only one of the different
regions of the controller interface 400 at a time. In such a case,
the user may access the other regions by interacting with the
controller interface. In other words, the playback zones view
interface may be provided on the controller interface when the user
interacts with the controller interface to view and access the
different playback zones in the media playback system.
[0063] In another example, the playback zones view interface may be
provided as part of, or as an extension of a third party software
application. The third party software application may be a service
provider application that the user can use to access media content
from a corresponding service provider. As such, the playback zones
view interface may be provided when the user wishes to use the
media playback system to play media content from the service
provider while accessing the service provider application.
[0064] At block 504, the method 500 involves displaying in the
playback zone representation, a control representation selectable
to modify playback of media content by the playback zone. In one
example, the control representation may be a volume representation
that is selectable to modify a playback volume of the playback
zone. FIG. 6 shows a first example interface 600 displaying a
playback zone representation 602 for a "Living Room" zone, a
playback zone representation 604 for a "Dining Room" zone, and a
playback zone representation 606 for a "Kitchen" zone.
[0065] As shown, each of the playback zone representations 602,
604, and 606 include a name of the corresponding playback zone, and
a "group" icon selectable to modify playback zone configurations
for the media playback system. As also shown, each of the playback
zone representations 602, 604, and 606 includes a volume
representation indicating a playback volume of the corresponding
playback zone. The volume representation may also be selectable to
modify the playback volume of the playback zone.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, the volume representations may be in the
form of horizontal bars with sliders that are selectable to adjust
the playback volume of the corresponding playback zone. In another
example that is not shown, the volume representation may be a
numeric representation (e.g. 56 or 56/100). In some cases, both the
horizontal bar representation and a corresponding numeric
representation may be displayed and selectable.
[0067] When a user selects a volume representation for a
corresponding playback zone and modifies the volume, a message may
be sent to at least one playback device in the playback zone
indicating the selection and modification. The at least one
playback device in the playback zone may then adjust the playback
volume in the playback zone according to the message.
[0068] In another example, the control representation may be icons
associated with playback statuses and/or playback modes. For
instance, the icons may be selectable to modify certain playback
statuses of the playback zone, including causing the playback zone
to play the media content, pause playback of the media content,
fast forward the media content, rewind the media content, skip to a
next media item in the media content, and skip to a previous media
item in the media content, among others. Further, the icons may be
selectable to modify certain playback modes of the playback zone,
including causing the playback of media content in the playback
zone to enter a shuffle playback mode, exit a shuffle playback
mode, enter a repeat playback mode, exit a repeat playback mode,
enter a media cross fade mode, and exit a media crossfade mode,
among others.
[0069] FIG. 7 shows a second example interface 700 displaying a
playback zone representation 702 for a "Living Room" zone, a
playback zone representation 704 for a "Dining Room" zone, and a
playback zone representation 706 for a "Kitchen" zone. As shown,
each of the playback zone representations 702, 704, and 706 include
control icons that are selectable to modify playback statuses
and/or playback modes of the corresponding playback zone. In some
cases, the control icons may also indicate a current playback
status and/or playback mode of the corresponding playback zone. For
example a display of a selectable "play" icon in zone
representation 704 may indicate that no media content is being
played in the Dining Room zone. Analogously, a display of a
selectable "pause" icon in zone representations 702 and 706 may
indicate that media content is being played in the Living Room zone
and Kitchen zone. In such a case, one of the selectable play and
pause control representations may replace the other in the zone
representation as playback of media content is initiated or paused.
In another example, if a playback zone is in shuffle playback mode,
a shuffle playback icon may be highlighted in the corresponding
zone representations. Other examples of control representations and
control representation interactions are also possible.
[0070] Similar to that discussed above in connection to FIG. 6,
when a user selects a control icon for a playback zone, a message
may be sent to at least one playback device in the corresponding
playback zone indicating the selection and modification. The at
least one playback device in the corresponding playback zone may
then modify the playback status and/or playback mode of the
playback zone according to the message.
[0071] Referring back to block 504, the method 500 may in some
cases involve receiving an input indicating that the control
representation is to be displayed in the playback zone
representation prior to displaying the control representation. In
one example, the playback zone representations in the playback
zones view interface may be provided in a compact format by
default. The compact format zone representation may display only a
zone name and in some cases the group icon. In one case, zone
representations in the playback zones view interface may be
provided in the compact format to conserve display real-estate,
particularly on controller devices having smaller displays.
[0072] In one example, the input to cause the control
representation to be displayed may be a selection of the zone
representation by a user. For instance, upon viewing a zone
representation provided in the compact format on the playback zones
view interface, the user may select the zone representation to
prompt the control representation to be displayed. The user may
then select the displayed control representation to modify playback
of media content in the corresponding playback zone. The selections
of the zone representation and control representation may involve
one or more taps, or mouse-clicks, among other possible
user-interface interactions.
[0073] In another example, the input may be an indication that the
corresponding playback zone is associated with media content. In
one example, an association between the playback zone and media
content may include media content being played and/or paused by one
or more playback devices in the playback zone. In another example,
the association between the playback zone and media content may
include a playback queue associated with the playback zone being
populated with media content. In yet another example, the
association between the playback zone and media content may include
media content being cached for playback by the playback zone. For
instance, if playback of streaming media content or Internet radio
by the playback zone is paused with no additional media content in
the playback queue associated with the playback zone, the playback
zone is still associated with the media content that has been
paused. Other examples are also possible.
[0074] In such cases, an input may be received when an association
between the playback zone and media content is established,
indicating the association between the playback zone and the media
content. In response to the input, the control representation may
be displayed in the zone representation.
[0075] FIG. 8A shows a third example playback zones view interface
800 including playback zone representations 802, 804, and 806. As
shown, zone representations 802 and 806 corresponding to a "Living
Room" zone and a "Kitchen" zone, respectively include only zone
names and the group icon, but do not include any control
representations. In other words, zone representations 802 and 806
may be provided in the compact format mentioned above. On the other
hand, zone representation 804 corresponding to a "Dining Room" zone
includes a volume representation 808 in addition to the zone name
and group icon. The volume representation 808 may be similar to the
volume representations discussed previously in connection to FIG.
6. As shown, a dimensional size of the zone representation 804 may
have been modified from the compact format to accommodate the
volume representation 808 when displaying the volume representation
808.
[0076] In one example, the zone representation 804 may previously
be provided in the compact format, until the user selected the zone
representation 804, resulting in the playback zones view interface
800 shown in FIG. 8A. Once the user is done adjusting the playback
volume for the Dining Room zone, the volume representation 808 may
disappear and the zone representation 804 may return to be
displayed according to the compact format.
[0077] In another example, the Living Room and Kitchen zones may
not be associated with any media content, while the Dining Room
zone is associated with media content. Accordingly, the volume
representation 808 may be provided in the zone representation 804.
In this case, the volume representation 808 may be displayed until
the Dining Room zone is no longer associated with media
content.
[0078] FIGS. 8B and 8C show alternate example playback zones view
interfaces 830 and 860, respectively that may correspond to the
scenarios discussed above in connection to FIG. 8A. As shown in
FIG. 8B, the Dining Room zone may correspond to a zone
representation 834 displaying a control representation, such as the
volume representation 808. In this case, the zone representation
834 may also display information 838 associated with the media
content that is being played and/or associated with the Dining Room
zone. As shown, the information 838 may indicate that the media
content associated with the Dining Room zone has example track
title "Track 653," and is by example artist "Artist 23." An album
art associated with the media content may also be included in the
information 838.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 8C, the playback zones view interface 860
includes a zone representation 864 corresponding to the Dining room
zone. In this case, the zone representation 864 may display media
playback control icons selectable to modify playback statuses
and/or playback modes of the Dining Room zone, in addition to the
volume representation 808. The control icons 868 may be similar to
the control icons discussed previously in connection to FIG. 7.
[0080] One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
other example zone representations displaying different control
representations and/or combinations of control representations
within the scope of the present application are also possible. One
having ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that in
the example interfaces discussed above, the top-to-bottom order in
which the zone representations are displayed on an interface may be
based on one or more variables. In one example, the zone
representations may be ordered according to a chronological order
in which the playback zones were established. In another example,
the zone representations may be ordered alphabetically based on
names of the playback zones. In a further example, the zone
representations may be ordered based on which playback zone most
frequently plays media content, or most recently played media
content. In yet another example, the zone representations may be
ordered based on whether the playback zone is associated with any
media content. For instance, zone representations displayed
according to the expanded format due to an association with media
content may be provided first on the controller interface. Other
examples, including various combinations of the above mentioned
examples, are also possible.
IV. Conclusion
[0081] The description above discloses, among other things, various
example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture
including, among other components, firmware and/or software
executed on hardware. It is understood that such examples are
merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For
example, it is contemplated that any or all of the firmware,
hardware, and/or software aspects or components can be embodied
exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in
firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or
firmware. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the only
way(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or
articles of manufacture.
[0082] As indicated above, the present application involves
displaying selectable control representations in playback zone
representations of a controller interface for a media playback
system. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method involves
displaying in a playback zones view interface, a playback zone
representation corresponding to a playback zone of a media playback
system, and displaying in the playback zone representation, a
control representation selectable to modify playback of media
content by the playback zone.
[0083] In another embodiment, a device is provided. The device
includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions
executable by the processor to cause the device to perform
functions. The functions include displaying in a playback zones
view interface, a playback zone representation corresponding to a
playback zone of a media playback system, and displaying in the
playback zone representation, a control representation selectable
to modify playback of media content by the playback zone.
[0084] In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer
readable memory is provided. The non-transitory computer readable
memory has stored thereon instructions executable by a computing
device to cause the computing device to perform functions. The
functions include displaying in a playback zones view interface, a
playback zone representation corresponding to a playback zone of a
media playback system, and displaying in the playback zone
representation, a control representation selectable to modify
playback of media content by the playback zone.
[0085] Additionally, references herein to "embodiment" means that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one
example embodiment of an invention. The appearances of this phrase
in various places in the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative
embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. As such, the
embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitly understood
by one skilled in the art, can be combined with other
embodiments.
[0086] The specification is presented largely in terms of
illustrative environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic
blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that
directly or indirectly resemble the operations of data processing
devices coupled to networks. These process descriptions and
representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to
most effectively convey the substance of their work to others
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to
provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure.
However, it is understood to those skilled in the art that certain
embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without
certain, specific details. In other instances, well known methods,
procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in
detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.
Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the
appended claims rather than the forgoing description of
embodiments.
[0087] When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely
software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the
elements in at least one example is hereby expressly defined to
include a tangible, non-transitory medium such as a memory, DVD,
CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the software and/or firmware.
* * * * *