Playback queue control transition

• US 10,715,973 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2013
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Kumar, Abhishek, Schulert, Andrew, Lambourne, Robert Andrew, Coburn, IV, Arthur L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Survillo, Oleg
• Application Number:
  US13/904,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20140181199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,603 Days
• Field of Search: 709204, 709219, 709231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits

Abstract

Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

while a mobile device is in communication over one or more networks with a network media system comprising one or more playback devices, establishing a connected state between the mobile device and at least one playback device in the network media system over the one or more networks, wherein establishing the connected state comprises (a) causing the mobile device to transition into a control mode during which the mobile device controls the at least one playback device and (b) transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to become configured to play back media items identified in a first playback queue that is available for playback by either the mobile device or the at least one playback device;

while in the control mode, (a) detecting a first requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a first media item identified in the first playback queue, (b) responsively transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the first playback queue to be populated with one or more additional media items;

determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system;

in response to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system, the mobile device (a) transitioning out of the control mode, (b) relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, and (c) transitioning into a playback mode in which the mobile device is configured to play back media items identified in a second playback queue that comprises a copy of the first playback queue while the first playback queue remains available for playback by the at least one playback device;

in response to relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, causing a graphical representation to be displayed on an interface of the mobile device that notifies a user that the mobile device has relinquished control of the at least one playback device of the network media system;

while in the playback mode, (a) detecting a second requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a second media item identified in both the first and second playback queues, (b) carrying out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item only at the mobile device and not at the at least one playback device, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the second playback queue to be populated with another one or more additional media items;

after carrying out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item only at the mobile device, determining that the mobile device is again in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system; and

in response to determining that the mobile device is again in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system, automatically re-establishing the connected state between the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system at least one playback device and (b) transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to become configured to play back media items identified in the second playback queue available for playback by the mobile device such that the second playback queue, including the another one or more additional media items, is also available for playback by the at least one playback device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein while in the control mode, the first playback queue is stored on one or more of the following:

(a) a remote server accessible over the Internet, or (b) the at least one playback device in the network media system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue comprises:

(a) an instruction for the at least one playback device to play the at least first media item,

(b) an instruction for the at least one playback device to pause playback of the at least first media item, (c) an instruction for the at least one playback device to mute playback of the at least first media item, (d) an instruction for the at least one playback device to remove the at least first media item from the first playback queue, (e) an instruction for the at least one playback device to add a new media item to the first playback queue, or (f) an instruction for the at least one playback device to play a next media item identified in the first playback queue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein after the mobile device relinquishes control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, the mobile device begins to carry out the first requested action locally with respect to the at least first media item identified in the second playback queue.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an indication on the mobile device that the first requested action is carried out with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication with the network media system, carrying out an action with respect to the at least first media item locally at the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein carrying out the action with respect to the at least first media item comprises one or more of the following:

(a) playing back of the at least first media item, (b) adjusting a playback volume of the at least first media item, (c) pausing playback of the at least first media item, or (d) muting playback of the at least first media item.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication with the network media system, determining that the mobile device will lose communication with the at least one playback device of the network media system; and

responsively, sending a message to the at least one playback device of the network media system that causes reconfiguration of the at least one playback device of the network media system when the mobile device is no longer in communication with the at least one playback device of the network media system such that the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item that is detected at the mobile device does not cause the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the message further causes modifying, by the at least one playback device of the network media system, the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue, and wherein the modification to the first requested action comprises one or more of the following:

(a) adjusting a volume of playback of the at least first media item, (b) pausing playback of the at least first media item, and (c) muting playback of the at least first media item.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein not transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the second requested action comprises:

carrying out the second requested action locally at the mobile device with respect to the at least second media item instead of transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the mobile device, that a signal strength of the one or more networks connecting the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system is at or below a threshold level; and

in response to the determining that the signal strength of the one or more networks connecting the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system is at or below a threshold level, causing a message to be sent to the at least one playback device in the network media system that the mobile device will no longer be in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

while in the control mode, (a) detecting a third requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a third media item identified in the second playback queue, (b) responsively transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the third requested action with respect to the at least third media item identified in the second playback queue, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the second playback queue to be populated with one or more additional media items.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, the at least one playback device receiving an instruction for the first playback queue to be populated with one or more additional media items.

14. A mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a network interface;

a non-transitory computer-readable medium;

program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to perform functions comprising;

while the mobile device is in communication, via the network interface, over one or more networks with a network media system comprising one or more playback devices, establishing a connected state between the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system over the one or more networks, wherein establishing the connected state comprises (a) causing the mobile device to transition into a control mode during which the mobile device controls the at least one playback device and (b) transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to become configured to play back media items identified in a first playback queue that is available for playback by either the mobile device or the at least one playback device;

while in the control mode, (a) detecting a first requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a first media item identified in the first playback queue, (b) responsively transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the first playback queue to be populated with one or more additional media items;

determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication over the one or more networks with the at least one playback device of the network media system;

in response to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system, the mobile device (a) transitioning out of the control mode, (b) relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, and (c) transitioning into a playback mode in which the mobile device is configured to play back media items identified in a second playback queue that comprises a copy of the first playback queue while the first playback queue remains available for playback by the at least one playback device;

in response to relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, causing a graphical representation to be displayed on an interface of the mobile device that notifies a user that the mobile device has relinquished control of the at least one playback device of the network media system;

while in the playback mode, (a) detecting a second requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a second media item identified in both the first and second playback queues, (b) carrying out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item only at the mobile device and not at the at least one playback device, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the second playback queue to be populated with another one or more additional media items;

after carrying out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item only at the mobile device, determining that the mobile device is again in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system; and

in response to determining that the mobile device is again in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system, automatically re-establishing the connected state between the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system over the one or more networks, wherein re-establishing the connected state comprises (a) causing the mobile device to transition into the control mode during which the mobile device controls the at least one playback device and (b) transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to become configured to play back media items identified in the second playback queue available for playback by the mobile device such that the second playback queue, including the another one or more additional media items, is also available for playback by the at least one playback device.

15. The mobile device of claim 14, further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to perform functions comprising:

prior to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication with the network media system, determining that the mobile device will lose communication with the at least one playback device; and

responsively, transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to be reconfigured when the mobile device is no longer in communication with the network media system such that the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item that is requested at the mobile device does not cause the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action to be taken with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue.

16. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein while in the control mode, the first playback queue is stored on one or more of the following:

(a) a remote server accessible over the Internet, or (b) the at least one playback device in the network media system.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that are executable to cause a mobile device to perform functions comprising:

while a mobile device is in communication over one or more networks with a network media system comprising one or more playback devices, establishing a connected state between the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system over the one or more networks, wherein establishing the connected state comprises (a) causing the mobile device to transition into a control mode during which the mobile device controls the at least one playback device and (b) transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to become configured to play back media items identified in a first playback queue that is available for playback by either the mobile device or the at least one playback device;

while in the control mode, (a) detecting a first requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a first media item identified in the first playback queue, (b) responsively transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the first playback queue to be populated with one or more additional media items;

determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system; and

in response to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication over the one or more networks with the at least one playback device of the network media system, the mobile device (a) transitioning out of the control mode, (b) relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, and (c) transitioning into a playback mode in which the mobile device is configured to play back media items identified in a second playback queue that comprises a copy of the first playback queue while the first playback queue remains available for playback by the at least one playback device;

in response to relinquishing control of the at least one playback device of the network media system, causing a graphical representation to be displayed on an interface of the mobile device that notifies a user that the mobile device has relinquished control of the at least one playback device of the network media system;

while in the playback mode, (a) detecting a second requested action at the mobile device with respect to at least a second media item identified in both the first and second playback queues,

(b) carrying out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item only at the mobile device and not at the at least one playback device, and (c) subsequently transmitting an instruction for the second playback queue to be populated with another one or more additional media items;

after carrying out the second requested action with respect to the at least second media item only at the mobile device, determining that the mobile device is again in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system; and

in response to determining that the mobile device is again in communication over the one or more networks with the network media system, automatically re-establishing the connected state between the mobile device and the at least one playback device in the network media system over the one ore more networks, wherein re-establishing the connected state comprises (a) causing the mobile device to transition into the control mode during which the mobile device controls the at least one playback device and (b) transmitting an instruction for the at least one playback device to become configured to play back media items identified in the second playback queue available for playback by the mobile device such that the second playback queue, including the another one or more additional media items, is also available for playback by the at least one playback device.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to determining that the mobile device is no longer in communication with the network media system, determining that the mobile device will lose communication with the at least one playback device of the network media system; and

responsively, sending a message to the at least one playback device of the network media system that causes reconfiguration of the at least one playback device of the network media system when the mobile device is no longer in communication with the at least one playback device of the network media system such that the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item that is detected at the mobile device does not cause the at least one playback device to carry out the first requested action with respect to the at least first media item identified in the first playback queue.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein while in the control mode, the first playback queue is stored on one or more of the following:

(a) a remote server accessible over the Internet, or (b) the at least one playback device in the network media system.