Context-based user music menu systems and methods

• US 10,469,897 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2012
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Reimann, Robert, Kumar, Abhishek, Bates, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Chavez, Renee D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duckworth, Jianmei F
• Application Number:
  US13/424,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20130246916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,787 Days
• Field of Search: 715716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/735 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide content to a playback network are disclosed. An example method includes displaying an indicator of multimedia content to a user via a graphical user interface. The example method includes enabling a multiselect state to allow the user to select multiple items from a browseable list of indicators associated with multimedia content. The example method includes providing a context-sensitive menu including a plurality of options associated with playback of selected items based on enablement of the multiselect state. The example method includes applying an option to each of the selected items based on user selection. The example method includes passing information regarding the multimedia content to a playback system including one or more multimedia playback devices in response to user selection of the option.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of a controller device, a list of media items within a first display area, wherein the media items in the list are queued for playback in synchrony by at least a first media playback device and a second media playback device, wherein the media items in the list are stored separate from the first media playback device and the second media playback device, and wherein the list of media items comprises (i) a plurality of multi-selectable media items, wherein each multi-selectable media item has a menu icon, and wherein the plurality of multi-selectable media items comprises (a) a first container item comprising one or more audio tracks and (b) a second container item comprising one or more audio tracks, and (ii) a plurality of non-multi-selectable media items;

receiving, via the GUI, a command to play a non-multi-selectable media item from the plurality of non-multi-selectable media items via a selectable indicator associated with the non-multi-selectable media item;

in response to receiving the command to play the non-multi-selectable media item, passing information regarding the non-multi-selectable media item to at least one of the first media playback device or the second media playback device and facilitating play of the non-multi-selectable media item via the playback devices;

receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the first container item from the plurality of multi-selectable media items of the list of media items;

in response to receiving the selection of the first container item, the GUI indicating in the displayed list of media items that the first container item is selected;

while the first container item is selected, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the menu icon of the first container item;

in response to receiving the selection of the menu icon of the first container item, displaying a first menu of actions, wherein the first menu of actions comprises a plurality of first actions that apply to the first container item;

while the first container item is selected, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the second container item from the plurality of multi-selectable media items of the list of media items;

in response to receiving the selection of the second container item, the GUI indicating that both the first container item and the second container item are selected;

determining that a cursor is hovering within the first display area over the first container item in the list of media items;

in response to determining that the cursor is hovering over the first container item in the list of media items, displaying, via the GUI, the menu icon of the first container item;

while the first container item and the second container item are selected, receiving, via the GUI, an activation of the menu icon of the first container item;

in response to the activation of the menu icon of the first container item, displaying, via the GUI, a second menu of actions, wherein the second menu of actions comprises a plurality of second actions that apply to the first container item and the second container item;

while the second menu of actions is displayed, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of an action from the second menu of actions; and

in response to receiving the selection of the action from the second menu of actions, performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item, the GUI exiting a multi-select state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first container item comprises a link to one of an album of audio tracks, a playlist of audio tracks, or an individual audio track, and wherein the second container item comprises a link to one of an album of audio tracks, a playlist of audio tracks, or an individual audio track.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected action is an add to playback queue action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to add the first container item and the second container item to a playback queue of the first media playback device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected action is a play now action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to play the first container item and the second container item in synchrony with the second media playback device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected action is a play next action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing at least the first media playback device to play the first container item and the second container item after completing playback of a currently-playing audio track.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected action is a replace queue action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to replace a current queue of the first media playback device with a new queue comprising the first container item and the second container item.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected action is an unselect action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises unselecting both the first container item and the second container item.

9. Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media comprising instructions encoded thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the computing device, a list of media items within a first display area of the GUI, wherein the media items in the list are queued for playback in synchrony by at least a first media playback device and a second media playback device, wherein the media items in the list are stored separate from the first media playback device and the second media playback device, and wherein the list of media items comprises (i) a plurality of multi-selectable media items, wherein each multi-selectable media item has a menu icon, and wherein the plurality of multi-selectable media items comprises (a) a first container item comprising one or more media items and (b) a second container item comprising one or more media items, and (ii) a plurality of non-multi-selectable media items;

receiving, via the GUI, a command to play a non-multi-selectable media item from the plurality of non-multi-selectable media items via a selectable indicator associated with the non-multi-selectable media item;

in response to receiving the command to play the non-multi-selectable media item, passing information regarding the non-multi-selectable media item to at least one of the first media playback device or the second media playback device and facilitating play of the non-multi-selectable media item via the playback devices;

receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the first container item from the plurality of multi-selectable media items of the list of media items;

in response to receiving the selection of the first container item, the GUI indicating in the displayed list of media items that the first container item is selected;

while the first container item is selected, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the menu icon of the first container item;

in response to receiving the selection of the menu icon of the first container item, displaying a first menu of actions, wherein the first menu of actions comprises a plurality of first actions that apply to the first container item;

while the first container item is selected, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the second container item from the plurality of multi-selectable media items of the list of media items;

in response to receiving the selection of the second container item, the GUI indicating that both the first container item and the second container item are selected;

determining that a cursor is hovering within the first display area over the first container item in the list of media items;

in response to determining that the cursor is hovering over the first container item in the list of media items, displaying, via the GUI, the menu icon of the first container item;

while the first container item and second container item are selected, receiving, via the GUI, an activation of the menu icon of the first container item;

in response to the activation of the menu icon of the first container item, displaying, via the GUI, a second menu of actions, wherein the second menu of actions comprises a plurality of second actions that apply to the first container item and the second container item;

while the second menu of actions is displayed, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of an action from the second menu of actions; and

in response to receiving the selection of the action from the second menu of actions, performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item.

10. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

after performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item, the GUI exiting a multi-select state.

11. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the first container item comprises a link to one of an album of audio tracks, a playlist of audio tracks, or an individual audio track, and wherein the second container item comprises a link to one of an album of audio tracks, a playlist of audio tracks, or an individual audio track.

12. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the selected action is an add to playback queue action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to add the first container item and the second container item to a playback queue of the first media playback device.

13. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the selected action is a play now action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to play the first container item and the second container item in synchrony with the second media playback device.

14. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the selected action is a play next action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing at least the first media playback device to play the first container item and the second container item after completing playback of a currently-playing audio track.

15. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the selected action is a replace queue action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to replace a current queue of the first media playback device with a new queue comprising the first container item and the second container item.

16. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the selected action is an unselect action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises unselecting both the first container item and the second container item.

17. A computing device comprising:

one or more processors; and

tangible, non-transitory, computing readable media comprising instructions encoded stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising;

displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI) at the computing device, a list of media items within a first display area of the GUI, wherein the media items in the list are queued for playback in synchrony by a first media playback device and a second media playback device, and wherein the list of media items comprises (i) a plurality of multi-selectable media items, wherein each multi-selectable media item has a menu icon, and wherein the plurality of multi-selectable media items comprises (a) a first container item comprising one or more audio tracks and (b) a second container item comprising one or more audio tracks, and (ii) a plurality of non-multi-selectable media items;

receiving, via the GUI, a command to play a non-multi-selectable media item from the plurality of non-multi-selectable media items via a selectable indicator associated with the non-multi-selectable media item;

in response to receiving the command to play the non-multi-selectable media item, passing information regarding the non-multi-selectable media item to at least one of the first media playback device or the second media playback device and facilitating play of the non-multi-selectable media item via the playback devices;

receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the first container item from the plurality of multi-selectable media items of the list of media items;

in response to receiving the selection of the first container item, the GUI indicating in the displayed listed of media items that the first container item is selected;

while the first container item is selected, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the menu icon of the first container item;

in response to receiving the selection of the menu icon of the first container item, displaying a first menu of actions, wherein the first menu of actions comprises a plurality of first actions that apply to the first container item;

while the first container item is selected, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of the second container item from the plurality of multi-selectable media items of the list of media items;

in response to receiving the selection of the second container item, the GUI indicating that both the first container item and the second container item are selected;

determining that a cursor is hovering within the first display area over the first container item in the list of media items;

in response to determining that the cursor is hovering over the first container item in the list of media items, displaying, via the GUI, the menu icon of the first container item;

while the first container item and second container item are selected, receiving, via the GUI, an activation of the menu icon of the first container item;

in response to the activation of the menu icon of the first container item, displaying, via the GUI, a second menu of actions, wherein the second menu of actions comprises a plurality of second actions that apply to the first container item and the second container item;

while the second menu of actions is displayed, receiving, via the GUI, a selection of an action from the second menu of actions; and

in response to receiving the selection of the action from the second menu of actions, performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

after performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item, the GUI exiting a multi-select state.

19. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the first container item comprises a link to one of an album of audio tracks, a playlist of audio tracks, or an individual audio track, and wherein the second container item comprises a link to one of an album of audio tracks, a playlist of audio tracks, or an individual audio track.

20. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the selected action is an add to playback queue action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to add the first container item and the second container item to a playback queue of the first media playback device.

21. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the selected action is a play now action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to play the first container item and the second container item in synchrony with the second media playback device.

22. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the selected action is a play next action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing at least the first media playback device to play the first container item and the second container item after completing playback of a currently-playing audio track.

23. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the selected action is a replace queue action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises:

instructing the first media playback device to replace a current queue of the first media playback device with a new queue comprising the first container item and the second container item.

24. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the selected action is an unselect action, and wherein performing the selected action for both the first container item and the second container item comprises unselecting both the first container item and the second container item.