Systems and methods for providing zone functionality in networked media systems

• US 9,785,399 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: D&M Holdings Incorporated (Masimo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: D&M Holdings Incorporated (Masimo Corporation)
• Inventors: Ramsay, Max Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, THOMAS H
• Application Number:
  US14/629,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20150186107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• 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 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

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.

Claims

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;

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 media sub-devices in the zone; and

, in the case that the media sub-device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone;

wherein at least one of the media sub-devices comprises;

a control interface;

a network interface;

one or more speaker drivers;

a processor; and

memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the at least one media sub-device to carry out functions including;

wirelessly receiving, via the network interface, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels;

detecting, via the control interface, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which a first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and

after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly sending, to the second media sub-device via the network interface, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, through the one or more speaker drivers, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the command comprises a manual command.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the control interface comprises one or more buttons on the first media sub-device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the command to form the multi-channel pair comprises one of (i) detecting a command to form a stereo pair in which the first media sub-device is designated as a left speaker and the second media sub-device is designated as a right speaker or (ii) detecting a command to form a stereo pair in which the first media sub-device is designated as a right speaker and the second media sub-device is designated as a left speaker.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of audio channels comprises (i) a left audio channel and (ii) a right audio channel, and wherein playing the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data comprises playing one of (i) the left audio channel and (ii) the right audio channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of audio channels comprises (i) a left audio channel and (ii) a right audio channel, and wherein sending at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data comprises sending one of (i) the left audio channel and (ii) the right audio channel.

7. 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;

(v) receiving, at a first media sub-device from a source device, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels;

(vi) detecting, by the first media sub-device, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and

(vii) after detecting the command, (i) sending, from the first media sub-device to the second media sub-device, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, by the first media sub-device, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data;

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;

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 media sub-devices in the zone; and

, in the case that the media sub-device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the command comprises a manual command.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first audio channel comprises a left audio channel, and wherein the second audio channel comprises a right audio channel.

10. 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;

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 media sub-devices in the zone; and

, in the case that the media sub-device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone

wherein at least one of the media sub-devices includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause a first media sub-device to;

wirelessly receive, via a network interface of the first media sub-device, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels;

detect, via a control interface of the first media sub-device, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and

after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly send, to the second media sub-device via the network interface of the first media sub-device, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) play through one or more speaker drivers of the first media sub-device the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the command comprises a manual command.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the command to form the multi-channel pair comprises one of (i) detecting a command to form a stereo pair in which the first media sub-device is designated as a left speaker and the second media sub-device is designated as a right speaker or (ii) detecting a command to form a stereo pair in which the first media sub-device is designated as a right speaker and the second media sub-device is designated as a left speaker.

13. The media playback apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of audio channels comprises (i) a left audio channel and (ii) a right audio channel, and wherein playing the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data comprises playing one of (i) the left audio channel and (ii) the right audio channel.

14. The media playback apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of audio channels comprises (i) a left audio channel and (ii) a right audio channel, and wherein sending at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data comprises sending one of (i) the left audio channel and (ii) the right audio channel.

15. 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;

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 media sub-devices in the zone; and

, in the case that the media sub-device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone;

wherein at least one of the media sub-devices comprises;

a control interface;

a network interface;

one or more speaker cones;

a processor; and

memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the at least one media sub-device to carry out functions including;

receiving, via the control interface, a configuration command to form a group in which a first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of multi-channel audio data and a second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel if different from the second audio channel; and

based on the configuration command, (i) wirelessly sending, to the second media sub-device via the network interface, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data; and

(ii) playing, through the one or more speaker cones, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data.

16. A media sub-device including:

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 media sub-device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone;

wherein at least one of the media sub-devices comprises;

a control interface;

a network interface;

one or more speaker drivers;

a processor; and

memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the at least one media sub-device to carry out functions including;

wirelessly receiving, via the network interface, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels;

detecting, via the control interface, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which a first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and

after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly sending, to the second media sub-device via the network interface, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, through the one or more speaker drivers, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data.

17. A media playback apparatus including:

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 networking 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 media sub-device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone;

wherein at least one media sub-device comprises;

a control interface;

a network interface;

one or more speaker drivers;

a processor; and

memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second media sub-device to carry out functions including;

detecting, via the control interface, a command to form a multi-channel pair with a first media sub-device in which the first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of multi-channel audio data and the second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and

after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly receiving, from the zone controller via the network interface at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, through the one or more speaker drivers, the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data.

18. A media playback apparatus including:

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 networking 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;

a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause a first media sub-device to;

wirelessly receive, via a network interface of the first media sub-device, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels;

detect, via a control interface of the first media sub-device, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first media sub-device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second media sub-device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and

after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly send, to the second media sub-device via the network interface of the first media sub-device, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) play through one or more speaker drivers of the first media sub-device the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data;

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 media sub-devices in the zone; and

, in the case that the device temporarily drops out of a zone, identify a most recent zone profile data file thereby to rejoin the zone.