Audio content search in a media playback system

• US 10,095,785 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Bates, Paul Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Leroux, Etienne P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Glasser, Dara J
• Application Number:
  US14/041,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20150095323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/285 Clustering or classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/638 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/687 using geographical or spatial information, e.g. location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets

Abstract

Embodiments are described herein that provide searches, including a multi-dimensional search, a cross-source search, or both in a media playback system. The search can be initiated by way of a selection of a location on user interface of a controller. The location corresponds to one or more metadata that is used in the search. Results are sorted and displayed. In some embodiments, the one or more metadata is used to filter and/or sort the results.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing a control device to display a control interface comprising an area associated with at least an artist name, an album name, and a track name associated with a first audio track that is being played by one or more playback devices that are carried in respective housings that are different from a housing carrying the control device, wherein the one or more playback devices are controlled via the control device over one or more first networks comprising a local area network;

receiving, via the control device, input data representing a selection of a location in the area of the control interface, the location corresponding to search criteria indicating one or more of;

the artist name, the album name, and the track name;

responsive to receiving the selection of the location, identifying, via the control device, at least two audio sources that are accessible for searching from the control device, wherein the at least two audio sources comprise (i) one or more streaming audio services that provide respective libraries of streamable audio tracks and (ii) a media library comprising additional audio tracks that are represented by respective files which are stored in one or more local data storages on the control device, wherein the files stored in the one or more local data storages are each different from files representing the streamable audio tracks;

searching, via the control device, the at least two audio sources across multiple search classification fields supported by the at least two audio sources for second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria, the multiple search classification fields comprising artist name, album name, and track title, wherein the second audio tracks are different from the first audio track, and wherein searching the at least two audio sources comprises;

(i) sending, via a network interface of the control device over one or more second networks comprising a wide area network, respective search queries to the one or more streaming audio services for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria; and

(ii) searching the media library for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria;

retrieving, via the control device, data representing search results from the at least two audio sources based on the search, wherein the search results indicate the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria; and

causing the control device to display a tabbed control interface, each tab corresponding to a respective search classification field and including a respective list of second audio tracks matching the respective search classification field, wherein the respective second audio tracks of each list are grouped into two or more groups within the respective list according to their respective audio source of the at least two audio sources;

receiving, via the control device, input data representing a selection of one or more particular second audio tracks from among the second audio tracks indicated by the search results; and

causing, via the network interface of the control device, the one or more playback devices to play back the selected one or more particular second audio tracks, wherein playing back the selected one or more particular second audio tracks comprises at least one playback device of the one or more playback devices streaming the one or more particular second audio tracks from at least one of the at least two audio sources and the one or more playback devices playing the streamed one or more particular second audio tracks via one or more speakers.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the multiple search classification fields that are supported by the at least two audio sources; and

identifying respective search classification fields that are supported by the at least two audio sources; and

modifying the search criteria to match the identified search classification fields.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending respective search queries to the one or more streaming audio services for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria comprises sending respective search queries to respective servers of a plurality of streaming audio services, wherein each streaming audio service of the plurality of streaming audio services is different, and wherein the plurality of streaming audio services are registered to a media playback system that comprises the one or more playback devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises:

displaying, within each tab, (i) search results indicating one or more audio tracks of the media library and (ii) an indication that the one or more audio tracks of the media library are within the media library; and

displaying, within each tab, (i) search results indicating one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services and (ii) an indication of each streaming audio service, wherein the one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services are playable from at least one of the one or more streaming audio services.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises prioritizing, with each tab, the one or more audio tracks of the media library over the one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

within each tab, prioritizing sorting of the respective list of second audio tracks within each group of the two or more groups according to similarity to the respective search classification field corresponding to the tab.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two audio sources include one or more preferred audio sources and one or more other audio sources, and wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises prioritizing, within a given tab, a first group of one or more audio tracks of the one or more preferred audio sources over a second group one or more audio tracks of the one or more other audio sources.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least two audio sources are different from an audio source used to play the first audio track on the one or more playback devices.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the control device is connected to a local area network via a network interface, wherein the media library further comprises audio tracks that are stored in one or more local data storages which are accessible to the control device within the local area network and wherein searching the media library for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria comprises searching the (a) audio tracks that are stored in one or more local data storages of the control device and (b) audio tracks that are stored in one or more local data storages which are accessible to the control device within the local area network.

10. A tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a control device to cause the control device to perform functions comprising:

causing the control device to display a control interface comprising an area associated with at least an artist name, an album name, and a track name associated with a first audio track that is being played by one or more playback devices that are carried in respective housings that are different from a housing carrying the control device, wherein the one or more playback devices are controlled via the control device over one or more first networks comprising a local area network;

receiving, via the control device, input data representing a selection of a location in the area of the control interface, the location corresponding to search criteria indicating one or more of;

the artist name, the album name, and the track name;

responsive to receiving the selection of the location, identifying, via the control device, at least two audio sources that are accessible for searching from the control device, wherein the at least two audio sources comprise (i) one or more streaming audio services that provide respective libraries of streamable audio tracks and (ii) a media library comprising additional audio tracks that are represented by respective files which are stored in one or more local data storages on the control device, wherein the files stored in the one or more local data storages are each different from files representing the streamable audio tracks;

searching, via the control device, the at least two audio sources across multiple search classification fields supported by the at least two audio sources for second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria, the multiple search classification fields comprising artist name, album name, and track title, wherein the second audio tracks are different from the first audio track, and wherein searching the at least two audio sources comprises;

(i) sending, via a network interface of the control device over one or more second networks comprising a wide area network, respective search queries to the one or more streaming audio services for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria; and

(ii) searching the media library for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria;

retrieving, via the control device, data representing search results from the at least two audio sources based on the search, wherein the search results indicate the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria; and

causing the control device to display a tabbed control interface, each tab corresponding to a respective search classification field and including a respective list of second audio tracks matching the respective search classification field, wherein the respective second audio tracks of each list are grouped into two or more groups within the respective list according to their respective audio source of the at least two audio sources;

receiving, via the control device, input data representing a selection of one or more particular second audio tracks from among the second audio tracks indicated by the search results; and

causing, via the network interface of the control device, the one or more playback devices to play back the selected one or more particular second audio tracks, wherein playing back the selected one or more particular second audio tracks comprises at least one playback device of the one or more playback devices streaming the one or more particular second audio tracks from at least one of the at least two audio sources and the one or more playback devices playing the streamed one or more particular second audio tracks via one or more speakers.

11. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the functions further comprise:

determining the multiple search classification fields that are supported by the at least two audio sources; and

identifying respective search classification fields that are supported by the at least two audio sources; and

modifying the search criteria to match the identified search classification fields.

12. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein sending respective search queries to the one or more streaming audio services for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria comprises sending respective search queries to respective servers of a plurality of streaming audio services, wherein each streaming audio service of the plurality of streaming audio services is different, and wherein the plurality of streaming audio services are registered to a media playback system that comprises the one or more playback devices.

13. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the functions further comprise:

displaying, within each tab, (i) search results indicating one or more audio tracks of the media library and (ii) an indication that the one or more audio tracks of the media library are within the media library; and

displaying, within each tab, (i) search results indicating one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services and (ii) an indication of each streaming audio service, wherein the one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services are playable from at least one of the one or more streaming audio services.

14. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises prioritizing, with each tab, wherein the one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services are playable from at least one of the one or more streaming audio services.

15. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the control device is connected to a local area network via a network interface, wherein the media library further comprises audio tracks that are stored in one or more local data storages which are accessible to the control device within the local area network and wherein searching the media library for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria comprises searching the (a) audio tracks that are stored in one or more local data storages of the control device and (b) audio tracks that are stored in one or more local data storages which are accessible to the control device within the local area network.

16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the functions further comprise:

within each tab, prioritizing sorting of the respective list of second audio tracks within each group of the two or more groups according to similarity to the respective search classification field corresponding to the tab.

17. A control device comprising:

a network interface configured to communicatively couple the control device to one or more audio sources;

a graphical display;

a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by at least one processor to cause the control device to;

display, via the graphical display, a control interface comprising an area associated with at least an artist name, an album name, and a track name associated with a first audio track that is being played by one or more playback devices that are carried in respective housings that are different from a housing carrying the control device, wherein the one or more playback devices are controlled via the control device over one or more first networks comprising a local area network;

receive input data representing a selection of a location in the area of the control interface, the location corresponding to search criteria indicating one or more of;

the artist name, the album name, and the track name;

responsive to receiving the selection of the location, identify, by the control device, at least two audio sources that are accessible for searching from the control device, wherein the at least two audio sources comprise (i) one or more streaming audio services that provide respective libraries of streamable audio tracks and (ii) a media library comprising additional audio tracks that are represented by respective files which are stored in one or more local data storages on the control device, wherein the files stored in the one or more local data storages are each different from files representing the streamable audio tracks;

search the at least two audio sources across multiple search classification fields supported by the at least two audio sources for second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria, the multiple search classification fields comprising artist name, album name, and track title, wherein the second audio tracks are different from the first audio track, and wherein searching the at least two audio sources comprises;

(i) sending, via the network interface of the control device over one or more second networks comprising a wide area network, respective search queries to the one or more streaming audio services for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria; and

(ii) searching the media library for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria;

retrieve data representing search results from the at least two audio sources based on the search, wherein the search results indicate the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria; and

display a tabbed control interface, each tab corresponding to a respective search classification field and including a respective list of second audio tracks matching the respective search classification field, wherein the respective second audio tracks of each list are grouped into two or more groups within the respective list according to their respective audio source of the at least two audio sources;

receive, via the control device, input data representing a selection of one or more particular second audio tracks from among the second audio tracks indicated by the search results; and

cause, via the network interface of the control device, the one or more playback devices to play back the selected one or more particular second audio tracks, wherein playing back the selected one or more particular second audio tracks comprises at least one playback device of the one or more playback devices streaming the one or more particular second audio tracks from at least one of the at least two audio sources and the one or more playback devices playing the streamed one or more particular second audio tracks via one or more speakers.

18. The control device of claim 17, wherein sending respective search queries to the one or more streaming audio services for the second audio tracks corresponding to the search criteria comprises sending respective search queries to respective servers of a plurality of streaming audio services, wherein each streaming audio service of the plurality of streaming audio services is different, and wherein the plurality of streaming audio services are registered to a media playback system that comprises the one or more playback devices.

19. The control device of claim 17, wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises:

displaying, within each tab, (i) search results indicating one or more audio tracks of the media library and (ii) an indication that the one or more audio tracks of the media library are within the media library; and

displaying, within each tab, (i) search results indicating one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services and (ii) an indication of each streaming audio service, wherein the one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services are playable from at least one of the one or more streaming audio services.

20. The control device of claim 19, wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises prioritizing, with each tab, the one or more audio tracks of the media library over the one or more audio tracks of the one or more streaming audio services.

21. The control device of claim 17, wherein the program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium are further executable by at least one processor to cause the control device to:

within each tab, prioritize sorting of the respective list of second audio tracks within each group of the two or more groups according to similarity to the respective search classification field corresponding to the tab.

22. The control device of claim 17, wherein the at least two audio sources include one or more preferred audio sources and one or more other audio sources, and wherein causing the control device to display the tabbed control interface comprises prioritizing, within a given tab, a first group of one or more audio tracks of the one or more preferred audio sources over a second group one or more audio tracks of the one or more other audio sources.