User Interfaces for Controlling and Manipulating Groupings in a Multi-Zone Media System
First Claim
1. A method for groupings in a multi-zone media system, the method comprising:
- providing a user interface to allow a user to determine which players in the system to be associated with a theme representing a group, the user interface showing all available players at the time the user interface is created;
allowing the user to visually select at least one of the players to be a first member of the theme;
allowing the user to add an additional one or more of the available players to the theme, if desired;
configuring the theme with parameters pertaining to the players, wherein the theme is activated at anytime or a specific time so that the players react in a synchronized manner.
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Abstract
In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface 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. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.
88 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for groupings in a multi-zone media system, the method comprising:
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providing a user interface to allow a user to determine which players in the system to be associated with a theme representing a group, the user interface showing all available players at the time the user interface is created; allowing the user to visually select at least one of the players to be a first member of the theme; allowing the user to add an additional one or more of the available players to the theme, if desired; configuring the theme with parameters pertaining to the players, wherein the theme is activated at anytime or a specific time so that the players react in a synchronized manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An invention for groupings in a multi-zone media system, the invention comprising:
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a plurality of players in the system; a controller showing a user interface to allow a user to determine which of the players to be associated with a theme representing a group, the user interface showing all available players at the time the user interface is created, the handheld device including an entry mechanism to allow the user to visually select at least one of the players to be a first member of the theme and add an additional one or more of the available players to the theme, if desired, and wherein the theme is configured with parameters pertaining to the players, and is activated at anytime or a specific time so that the players react in a synchronized manner. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification