Controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a network comprising a plurality of zone players, a method comprising:
- maintaining, by a first zone player, a zone configuration, the zone configuration characterizing one or more zone scenes created by a user, each zone scene comprising at least one zone group, each zone group including at least one of the plurality of zone players, and each zone player in the zone group configured to synchronously playback multimedia content from a multimedia source with another zone player in the zone group;
transmitting, by the first zone player via a network interface, the zone configuration to a controller device;
receiving, by the first zone player via the network interface, an updated zone configuration from the controller device;
storing, by the first zone player, the updated zone configuration; and
based on the updated zone configuration, causing, by the first zone player, the plurality of players in the network to playback multimedia content in accordance with the updated configuration.
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Abstract
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.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a network comprising a plurality of zone players, a method comprising:
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maintaining, by a first zone player, a zone configuration, the zone configuration characterizing one or more zone scenes created by a user, each zone scene comprising at least one zone group, each zone group including at least one of the plurality of zone players, and each zone player in the zone group configured to synchronously playback multimedia content from a multimedia source with another zone player in the zone group; transmitting, by the first zone player via a network interface, the zone configuration to a controller device; receiving, by the first zone player via the network interface, an updated zone configuration from the controller device; storing, by the first zone player, the updated zone configuration; and based on the updated zone configuration, causing, by the first zone player, the plurality of players in the network to playback multimedia content in accordance with the updated configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A zone player including a processor, the zone player configured to:
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maintain a zone configuration, the zone configuration characterizing one or more zone scenes created by a user, each zone scene comprising at least one zone group, each zone group including at least one of the plurality of zone players, and each zone player in the zone group configured to synchronously playback multimedia content from a multimedia source with another zone player in the zone group; transmit, via a network interface, the zone configuration to a controller device; receive, via the network interface, an updated zone configuration from the controller device; store the updated zone configuration; and based on the updated zone configuration, cause the plurality of players in the network to playback multimedia content in accordance with the updated configuration. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for execution by a processor, the set of instructions, when executed, implement a zone player configured to:
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maintain a zone configuration, the zone configuration characterizing one or more zone scenes created by a user, each zone scene comprising at least one zone group, each zone group including at least one of the plurality of zone players, and each zone player in the zone group configured to synchronously playback multimedia content from a multimedia source with another zone player in the zone group; transmit, via a network interface, the zone configuration to a controller device; receive, via the network interface, an updated zone configuration from the controller device; store the updated zone configuration; and based on the updated zone configuration, cause the plurality of players in the network to playback multimedia content in accordance with the updated configuration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification