Controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multimedia controller including a processor, the controller configured to:
- display a plurality of zone names for user selection via a display interface, each zone name of the plurality of zone names representing a particular zone that contains at least one player configured for multimedia playback in that zone, the plurality of zones including at least a player configured to retrieve a first multimedia output from a first multimedia source or to retrieve a second multimedia output from a second multimedia source, and wherein each player is coupled to a first local area network;
facilitate formation of a zone group by associating at least two of the plurality of zones, the zone group associated with a zone group configuration characterizing the zone group, the zone group configuration identifying players of the zone group; and
transmit the zone group configuration to a first player of a zone in the zone group to facilitate synchronized playback of multimedia content in accordance with the zone group configuration, the zone group configuration identifying at least the first multimedia source and the second multimedia source, and the zone group configuration to include activation of the synchronized playback by players of the zone group automatically at a specified time, the first player determining playback of either the first multimedia source or the second multimedia source in accordance with the zone group 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.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A multimedia controller including a processor, the controller configured to:
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display a plurality of zone names for user selection via a display interface, each zone name of the plurality of zone names representing a particular zone that contains at least one player configured for multimedia playback in that zone, the plurality of zones including at least a player configured to retrieve a first multimedia output from a first multimedia source or to retrieve a second multimedia output from a second multimedia source, and wherein each player is coupled to a first local area network; facilitate formation of a zone group by associating at least two of the plurality of zones, the zone group associated with a zone group configuration characterizing the zone group, the zone group configuration identifying players of the zone group; and transmit the zone group configuration to a first player of a zone in the zone group to facilitate synchronized playback of multimedia content in accordance with the zone group configuration, the zone group configuration identifying at least the first multimedia source and the second multimedia source, and the zone group configuration to include activation of the synchronized playback by players of the zone group automatically at a specified time, the first player determining playback of either the first multimedia source or the second multimedia source in accordance with the zone group configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 28, 31)
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10. A method of establishing a zone group, the method comprising:
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displaying, using a controller, a plurality of zone names for user selection via a display interface, each zone name of the plurality of zone names representing a particular zone that contains at least one player configured for multimedia playback in the particular zone, the plurality of zones including at least a player configured to retrieve a first multimedia output from a first multimedia source or to retrieve a second multimedia output from a second multimedia source, and wherein each player is coupled to a first local area network; facilitating, using the controller, formation of a zone group by associating at least two of the plurality of zones, the zone group associated with a zone group configuration characterizing the zone group, the zone group configuration identifying players of the zone group; and transmitting, using the controller, the zone group configuration to a first player of a zone in the zone group to facilitate synchronized playback of multimedia content in accordance with the zone group configuration, the zone group configuration identifying at least the first multimedia source and the second multimedia source, and the zone group configuration to include activation of the synchronized playback by players of the zone group automatically at a specified time, the first player determining playback of either the first multimedia source or the second multimedia source in accordance with the zone group configuration. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 29, 32)
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19. A tangible computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions for execution by a processor, the set of instructions, when executed, implement a controller configured to:
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display a plurality of zone names for user selection via a display interface, each zone name of the plurality of zones names representing a particular zone that contains at least one player configured for multimedia playback in the particular zone, the plurality of zones including at least a player configured to retrieve a first multimedia output from a first multimedia source or to retrieve a second multimedia output from a second multimedia source, and wherein each player is coupled to a first local area network; facilitate formation of a zone group by associating at least two of the plurality of zones, the zone group associated with a zone group configuration characterizing the zone group, the zone group configuration identifying players of the zone group; and transmit the zone group configuration to a first player of a zone in the zone group to facilitate synchronized playback of multimedia content in accordance with the zone group configuration, the zone group configuration identifying at least the first multimedia source and the second multimedia source, and the zone group configuration to include activation of the synchronized playback by players of the zone group automatically at a specified time, the first player determining playback of either the first multimedia source or the second multimedia source in accordance with the zone group configuration. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 33)
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Specification