Systems and methods for providing zone functionality in networked media systems
First Claim
1. A method of providing zone functionality to media sub-devices the method including the steps of:
- (i) discovering a plurality of virtual media systems, wherein each virtual media system is configured to control a respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein at least one of the virtual media systems is configured to control a respective plurality of media sub-devices, wherein each virtual media system is discoverable and controllable thereby to collectively control its respective one or more media sub-devices, and wherein the media sub-devices are connected to a common data network;
(ii) initiating formation of a zone including a selection of the virtual media systems;
(iii) transmitting a single resource identifier for the zone to each of the selection of virtual media systems; and
(iv) identifying a zone controller, wherein the zone controller provides a virtual zone super-system that is discoverable and controllable thereby to collectively control the respective one or more media sub-devices of the selection of virtual media systems;
wherein, for media playback, the zone controller is responsible for distributing media data to all individual media sub-devices in the zone and wherein, during such playback, a given one of the virtual media systems is configured to implement a volume control command in respect of its respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein the volume control command is not implemented for any of the other media sub-devices, and wherein the volume control command is received by the given one of the virtual media systems from a control device without the volume control command being provided to the zone controller;
wherein each individual media sub-device is configured to;
maintain a zone profile data file;
communicate updates to the zone profile data file to all other devices in the zone; and
, in the case that the device temporarily drops out of the zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Zone Control service is disclosed which provides for hierarchically managing a plurality of networked media subsystems. This can provide a layer of abstraction for the collection in the form of a single Renderer zone interface represented by a delegated zone controller. This hierarchy establishes a virtual super-system. Although a Zone Control services can be advertised on all networked media devices, the services will typically be unavailable while a device is subservient to, or equivalently under the control of, a zone controller. A single instance of the Zone Control service can reside in a Services Device, co-existing with a Group Control service.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing zone functionality to media sub-devices the method including the steps of:
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(i) discovering a plurality of virtual media systems, wherein each virtual media system is configured to control a respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein at least one of the virtual media systems is configured to control a respective plurality of media sub-devices, wherein each virtual media system is discoverable and controllable thereby to collectively control its respective one or more media sub-devices, and wherein the media sub-devices are connected to a common data network; (ii) initiating formation of a zone including a selection of the virtual media systems; (iii) transmitting a single resource identifier for the zone to each of the selection of virtual media systems; and (iv) identifying a zone controller, wherein the zone controller provides a virtual zone super-system that is discoverable and controllable thereby to collectively control the respective one or more media sub-devices of the selection of virtual media systems; wherein, for media playback, the zone controller is responsible for distributing media data to all individual media sub-devices in the zone and wherein, during such playback, a given one of the virtual media systems is configured to implement a volume control command in respect of its respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein the volume control command is not implemented for any of the other media sub-devices, and wherein the volume control command is received by the given one of the virtual media systems from a control device without the volume control command being provided to the zone controller; wherein each individual media sub-device is configured to;
maintain a zone profile data file;
communicate updates to the zone profile data file to all other devices in the zone; and
, in the case that the device temporarily drops out of the zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing zone functionality to media sub-devices, the method including the steps of:
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(i) presenting an interface indicative of a virtual media system, (ii) initiating formation of a zone, the zone being defined by a plurality of virtual media systems that are each configured to control a respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein at least one of the virtual media systems is configured to control a respective plurality of media sub-devices, wherein each virtual media system is discoverable and controllable thereby to collectively control its respective one or more media sub-devices; (iii) identifying a single resource identifier common to all selected virtual media systems in a zone; and (iv) presenting, via a zone controller, a zone interface indicative of a virtual super-system for receiving a signal indicative of a zone function thereby to collectively control the respective one or more media sub-devices of the selection of virtual media systems; wherein, for media playback, the zone controller is responsible for distributing media data to all individual media sub-devices in the zone and wherein, during such playback, a given one of the virtual media systems is configured to implement a volume control command in respect of its respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein the volume control command is not implemented for any of the other media sub-devices, and wherein the volume control command is received by the given one of the virtual media systems from a control device without the volume control command being provided to the zone controller; wherein each individual media sub-device is configured to;
maintain a zone profile data file;
communicate updates to the zone profile data file to all other devices in the zone; and
, in the case that the device temporarily drops out of the zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A media playback apparatus including:
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a networking interface for connecting to a data network; and a processor adapted to carry out a discovery process on the data network for allowing mutual discovery of complimentary virtual media systems;
processor further adapted to advertise a zone interface via a zone controller;
processor further adapted to receive a signal indicative of a Create Zone action from the network interface;
processor further adapted to perform the Create Zone action for establishing a zone that includes a plurality of the virtual media systems;the zone being defined by a plurality of virtual media systems that are each configured to control a respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein at least one of the virtual media systems is configured to control a respective plurality of media sub-devices, wherein each virtual media system is discoverable and controllable thereby to collectively control its respective one or more media sub-devices; wherein, for media playback, the zone controller is responsible for distributing media data to all individual media sub-devices in the zone and wherein, during such playback, a given one of the virtual media systems is configured to implement a volume control command in respect of its respective one or more media sub-devices, wherein the volume control command is not implemented for any of the other media sub-devices, and wherein the volume control command is received by the given one of the virtual media systems from a control device without the volume control command being provided to the zone controller; wherein each individual media sub-device is configured to;
maintain a zone profile data file;
communicate updates to the zone profile data file to all other devices in the zone; and
, in the case that the device temporarily drops out of the zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification