System and Method for Issuing Commands in a Media Playback System

• US 20160216935A1
• Filed: 03/31/2016
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Reichert, Stefan, Amaranto, David John McCaffree
• Granted Patent: US 9,965,244 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/02 Manually-operated control H03G3/001 and H03G3/002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/04 in untuned amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3005 in amplifiers suitable for low-frequencies, e.g. audio amplifiers H03G3/32, H03G3/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3089 Control of digital or coded signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

Embodiments are described herein that provide a dedicated command device that is bonded to a zone player or zone to perform adjustments to the zone player or zone. In an example implementation, a command device receives an instruction to pair with a first playback device that is associated with a group of playback devices that includes the first playback device and at least one additional playback device. The group of playback devices is associated with at least one group variable controlling playback by the playback devices of the group. The command device receives an input to adjust a first group variable of the at least one group variable and transmits, via a wireless communications interface, a command that causes an adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a wireless communications interface;

a processor;

memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the device to perform functions comprising;

receiving an instruction to pair with a first playback device that is associated with a group of playback devices comprising the first playback device and at least one additional playback device, wherein the group of playback devices is associated with a playback queue identifying one or more media items for playback by the group, and wherein the group of playback devices is associated with at least one group variable controlling playback by the playback devices of the group;

receiving an input to adjust a first group variable of the at least one group variable; and

transmitting, via the wireless communications interface, a command that causes an adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first group variable is a play variable, and wherein the command causes the playback device to retrieve the one or more media items for playback by the group of playback devices from a content source different than the device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the command causes the first playback device to play the one or more media items in synchrony with the at least one additional playback device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the playback queue is stored on the first playback device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an input button, and wherein receiving the input to adjust the first group variable comprises receiving, via the input button, the input to adjust the first group variable.

6. The device of claim 5, the functions further comprise:

receiving, via the input button, a second input to adjust the first group variable of the at least one group variable, wherein the second input is different than the first input; and

transmitting, to the playback device of the group via the wireless communications interface, a second command to adjust the first group variable.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the group of playback devices comprises a bonded zone.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein transmitting the command comprises:

transmitting, to a control device associated with the group of playback devices via the wireless communications interface, the command, wherein the command causes the control device to cause the adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a command device cause the command device to perform the functions comprising:

receiving an instruction to pair with a first playback device associated with a group of playback devices comprising the first playback device and at least one additional playback device, wherein the group of playback devices is associated with a playback queue identifying one or more media items for playback by the group, and wherein the group of playback devices is associated with at least one group variable controlling playback by the playback devices of the group;

receiving an input to adjust a first group variable of the at least one group variable; and

transmitting, via a wireless communications interface of the command device, a command that causes an adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the first group variable is a play variable, and wherein the command causes the playback device to retrieve the one or more media items for playback by the group of playback devices from a content source different than the command device.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the command causes the first playback device to play the one or more media items in synchrony with the at least one additional playback device.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the playback queue is stored on the first playback device.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the device further comprises an input button, and wherein receiving the input to adjust the first group variable comprises receiving, via the input button of the command device, the input to adjust the first group variable.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving, via the input button, a second input to adjust the first group variable of the at least one group variable, wherein the second input is different than the first input; and

transmitting, via the wireless communications interface of the command device, a second command to adjust the first group variable.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the group of playback devices comprises a bonded zone.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein transmitting the command comprises:

transmitting, to a control device associated with the group of playback devices via the wireless communications interface of the command device, the command, wherein the command causes the control device to cause the adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.

17. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a command device, an instruction to pair with a first playback device associated with a group of playback devices comprising the first playback device and at least one additional playback device, wherein the group of playback devices is associated with a playback queue identifying one or more media items for playback by the group, and wherein the group of playback devices is associated with at least one group variable controlling playback by the playback devices of the group;

receiving, via the command device, an input to adjust a first group variable of the at least one group variable; and

transmitting, via a wireless communications interface of the command device, a command that causes an adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first group variable is a play variable, and wherein the command causes the playback device to retrieve the one or more media items for playback by the group of playback devices from a content source different than the device and to play the one or more media items in synchrony with the at least one additional playback device.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the command device comprises an input button, and wherein receiving the input to adjust the first group variable comprises receiving, via the input button of the command device, the input to adjust the first group variable.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein transmitting the command comprises:

transmitting, via the wireless communications interface of the command device to a control device associated with the group of playback devices, the command, wherein the command causes the control device to cause the adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.