Playback of Media Content According to Media Preferences

• US 20150310023A1
• Filed: 04/28/2014
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: van der Heide, Maarten
• Granted Patent: US 9,524,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/637 Administration of user profiles, e.g. generation, initialization, adaptation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path

Abstract

Methods and systems described herein relate to management of media playback based on media preferences. A computing device may receive data indicating that a media item is available to be played by a media playback system. A media preference associated with the media item may then be identified based on the received data. The media preference may be identified in a preference database. Based on the media preference, the computing device determines whether the media item is or is not to be played by the media playback system. If a determination is made that the media item is not to be played, the computing device sends to the media playback system, an indication that the media item is not to be played. If a determination is made that the media item is to be played, the computing device causes the media item to be played by the media playback system.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, data indicating that a media item is available to be played by a media playback system;

based on the received data, identifying, by the computing device, in a preference database associated with the media playback system, a media preference;

based on the identified media preference, determining, by the computing device, that the media item is not to be played by the media playback system; and

sending, by the computing device, an indication that the media item is not to be played.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the computing device, second data indicating that a second media item is available to be played by the media playback system;

based on the second data, identifying, by the computing device, in the preference database associated with the media playback system, a second media preference;

based on the identified second media preference, determining, by the computing device, that the second media item is to be played by the media playback system; and

causing, by the computing device, the second media item to be played.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the media item is provided by a service provider, and wherein the method further comprises:

sending to the service provider, by the computing device, a request for a different media item.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a service provider, and wherein the identified media preference is associated with the service provider.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a first service provider, and wherein the identified media preference is associated with a second service provider.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data identifies a service-provider identification of the media item.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the media playback system comprises one or more playback devices configurable to play media content in synchrony.

8. A computing device comprising:

a processor; and

memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising;

receiving data indicating that a media item is available to be played by a media playback system;

based on the received data, identifying a media preference;

based on the identified media preference, determining that the media item is to be played by the media playback system; and

causing the media item to be played.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the functions further comprise:

sending to the media playback system, an indication that the media item is to be played.

10. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the function for identifying a media preference comprises:

identifying the media preference in a preference database affiliated with the media playback system.

11. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the data is received from a first service provider, and wherein the identified media preference is associated with a second service provider.

12. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the data identifies a service-provider identification of the media item.

13. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the media playback system comprises one or more playback devices configurable to play media content in synchrony.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

receiving data indicating that a media item is available to be played by a media playback system;

based on the received data, identifying a media preference;

based on the identified media preference, determining one of the following;

(a) that the media item is not to be played by the media playback system and (b) that the media item is to be played by the media playback system;

if a determination is made that the media item is not to be played by the media playback system, sending an indication that the media item is not to be played; and

if a determination is made that the media item is to be played, causing the media item to be played.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the function of causing the media item to be played comprises:

sending to the media playback system, an indication that the media item is to be played.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the media item is provided by a service provider, and wherein the function of sending an indication that the media item is not to be played comprises:

sending to the service provider, a request for a different media item.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the data is received from a service provider, and wherein the identified media preference is associated with the service provider.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the function for identifying a media preference comprises:

identifying the media preference in a preference database affiliated with the media playback system.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the data identifies a service-provider identification of the media item.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the media playback system comprises one or more playback devices configurable to play media content in synchrony.