Media playback system with guest access

• US 9,374,607 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2012
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Keyser-Allen, Lee, Roberts, Diane, Bates, Paul, Lang, Jonathan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nabi, Reza
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US13/533,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20130346859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: 715/716
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to offer a restricted playback mode playlist mode to allow one or more participating users to access a host'"'"'s media playback system and interact with a reduced subset of functions in that system. An example method includes providing, via a local media playback system, a restricted playback mode open to a plurality of participating users, the restricted playback mode providing a subset of playback functions from the local media playback system to the participating users, the subset including addition of content to a playlist for playback via the local media playback system. The example method includes facilitating addition of content to the playlist by at least one participating user. The example method includes facilitating playback of content from the playlist in the restricted playback mode.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a media playback system including a plurality of playback zones that comprise at least one respective playback device, a request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices, wherein the specific configuration comprises playback zones that include respective playback devices and a zone group that includes at least two of the playback zones;

determining whether the first control device is associated with one of a first playback mode or a second playback mode, wherein

(i) the first playback mode provides functions of the media playback system, the functions including reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

(ii) the second playback mode provides a subset of the functions, the subset (a) including at least addition of content for playback by at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones and (b) excluding reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

based on a determination that the first control device is associated with the first playback mode, causing the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured;

receiving a request by a second control device to add one or more media items to a playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

determining whether the second control device is associated with one of the first playback mode or the second playback mode;

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least addition of content for playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, causing the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group;

receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating a user account associated with the second control device to enable the second control device to enter the second playback mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones comprises receiving a request to link to the media playback system in one of (i) the first playback mode, or (ii) the second playback mode.

4. The method of claim 1,

wherein the media playback system is registered with a set of streaming media services, wherein the second control device is registered with a subset of the streaming media services, and wherein the subset of functions provided by the second playback mode includes playback of audio tracks from the subset of the streaming media services.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subset further includes transport control of playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and

wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a request by the second control device to initiate playback of the playback queue; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least transport control of playback by the at least one of the playback zones, causing the at least two playback zones of the zone group to initiate playback of the playback queue in synchrony.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein initiating playback of the playback queue comprises a given playback device of the zone group retrieving the one or more media items via a network interface.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from the first control device that is in the first playback mode to place the second control device in the second playback mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second control device is associated with the second playback mode for a limited period of time.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second playback mode provides access to the subset of functions for a limited physical location comprising the at least one of the plurality of playback zones.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the subset of functions excludes adjustment of an equalization of the plurality of playback zones.

11. The method of claim 1,

wherein receiving the request by the first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices comprises the first control device receiving input indicating a request to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices;

wherein causing the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured comprises the first control device sending, via network interface, an instruction that causes the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured;

wherein receiving the request by the second control device to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony comprises the second control device receiving input indicating a request to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony; and

wherein causing the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group comprises the second control device sending, via a network interface, an instruction that causes the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group;

wherein receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level comprises the second control device receiving input indicating a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to the given volume level; and

wherein adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level comprises the second control device sending, via a network interface, an instruction that causes the at least two playback zones of the zone group to adjust volume of the zone group to the given volume level.

12. The method of claim 1,

wherein receiving the request by the first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices comprises a given playback device receiving, via a network interface from the first control device, a request to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices;

wherein causing the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured comprises the given playback device reconfiguring the one or more of the plurality of playback zones;

wherein receiving the request by the second control device to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony comprises the zone group receiving, via a network interface from the second control device, the request to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

wherein causing the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group comprises the zone group adding the one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group;

wherein receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level comprises the zone group receiving, via a network interface, the request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to the given volume level; and

wherein adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level comprises playback devices of the zone group adjusting volume to the given volume level.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by a processor, are to implement at least a method, the method comprising:

receiving, by a media playback system including a plurality of playback zones that comprise at least one respective playback device, a request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices, wherein the specific configuration comprises playback zones that include respective playback devices and a zone group that includes at least two of the playback zones;

determining whether the first control device is associated with one of a first playback mode or a second playback mode, wherein

(i) the first playback mode provides functions of the media playback system, the functions including reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

(ii) the second playback mode provides a subset of the functions, the subset (a) including at least addition of content for playback by at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones and (b) excluding reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

based on a determination that the first control device is associated with the first playback mode, causing the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured;

receiving a request by a second control device to add one or more media items to a playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

determining whether the second control device is associated with one of the first playback mode or the second playback mode;

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least addition of content for playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, adding the one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group;

receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises authenticating a user account associated with the second control device to enable the second control device to enter the second playback mode.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein receiving the request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones comprises receiving a request to link to the media playback system in one of (i) the first playback mode, or (ii) the second playback mode.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the media playback system is registered with a set of streaming media services, wherein the second control device is registered with a subset of the streaming media services, and wherein the subset of functions provided by the second playback mode includes playback of audio tracks from the subset of the streaming media services.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the subset further includes transport control of playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and

wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a request by the second control device to initiate playback of the playback queue; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least transport control of playback by the at least one of the playback zones, causing the at least two playback zones of the zone group to initiate playback of the playback queue in synchrony.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein initiating playback of the playback queue comprises a given playback device of the zone group retrieving the one or more media items via a network interface.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises receiving a request from the first control device that is in the first playback mode to place the second control device in the second playback mode.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the second control device is associated with the second playback mode based on a time of day.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the second playback mode provides access to the subset of functions for a limited physical location comprising the at least one of the plurality of playback zones.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the subset of functions excludes adjustment of an equalization of the plurality of playback zones.

23. A media playback system comprising:

a plurality of playback devices, each playback device including a processor, a memory and a speaker to output audio content provided to the playback device, the plurality of playback devices organized into a plurality of playback zones;

wherein the media playback system is to;

receive a request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices, wherein the specific configuration comprises playback zones that include respective playback devices and a zone group that includes at least two of the playback zones;

determine whether the first control device is associated with one of a first playback mode or a second playback mode, wherein

(i) the first playback mode provides functions of the media playback system, the functions including reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

(ii) the second playback mode provides a subset of the functions, the subset (a) including at least addition of content for playback by at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones and (b) excluding reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

based on a determination that the first control device is associated with the first playback mode, reconfigure the one or more of the plurality of playback zones;

receiving a request by a second control device to add one or more media items to a playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

determine whether the second control device is associated with one of the first playback mode or the second playback mode;

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least addition of content for playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, add the one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group;

receive a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, adjust volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level.

24. The media playback system of claim 23,

wherein receiving the request by the first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices comprises the first control device receiving input indicating a request to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices;

wherein causing the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured comprises the first control device sending, via network interface, an instruction that causes the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured;

wherein receiving the request by the second control device to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony comprises the second control device receiving input indicating a request to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

wherein causing the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group comprises the second control device sending, via a network interface, an instruction that causes the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group;

wherein receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level comprises the second control device receiving input indicating a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to the given volume level; and

wherein adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level comprises the second control device sending, via a network interface, an instruction that causes the at least two playback zones of the zone group to adjust volume of the zone group to the given volume level.

25. The media playback system of claim 23,

wherein receiving the request by the first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices comprises a given playback device receiving, via a network interface from the first control device, a request to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of the playback devices;

wherein causing the one or more of the plurality of playback zones to be reconfigured comprises the given playback device reconfiguring the one or more of the plurality of playback zones;

wherein receiving the request by the second control device to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony comprises the zone group receiving, via a network interface from the second control device, the request to add one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

wherein causing the one or more media items to be added to the playback queue of the zone group comprises the zone group adding the one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group;

wherein receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level comprises the zone group receiving, via a network interface, the request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to the given volume level; and

wherein adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level comprises playback devices of the zone group adjusting volume to the given volume level.

26. A playback device comprising:

one or more processors; and

tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the playback device to perform a method comprising;

receiving a request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of a plurality of playback zones by changing a specific configuration of playback devices as members of respective playback zones of a media playback system, wherein the specific configuration comprises playback zones that include respective playback devices and at least two of the playback zones as a zone group;

determining whether the first control device is associated with one of a first playback mode or a second playback mode, wherein

(i) the first playback mode provides functions of the media playback system, the functions including reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

(ii) the second playback mode provides a subset of the functions, the subset (a) including at least addition of content for playback by at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones and (b) excluding reconfiguration of the specific configuration of the playback devices;

based on a determination that the first control device is associated with the first playback mode, reconfiguring the one or more of the plurality of playback zones;

receiving a request by a second control device to add one or more media items to a playback queue of the zone group for playback by the at least two playback zones of the zone group in synchrony;

determining whether the second control device is associated with one of the first playback mode or the second playback mode;

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least addition of content for playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, adding the one or more media items to the playback queue of the zone group;

receiving a request by the second control device to adjust volume of the zone group to a given volume level; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least volume adjustment of the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, adjusting volume of the at least two playback zones to the given volume level.

27. The playback device of claim 26, the method further comprising authenticating a user account associated with the second control device to enable the second control device to enter the second playback mode.

28. The playback device of claim 26, wherein receiving the request by a first control device to reconfigure one or more of the plurality of playback zones comprises receiving a request to link to the media playback system in one of (i) the first playback mode, or (ii) the second playback mode.

29. The playback device of claim 26,

wherein the media playback system is registered with a set of streaming media services, wherein the second control device is registered with a subset of the streaming media services, and wherein the subset of functions provided by the second playback mode (a) includes playback of audio tracks from the subset of the streaming media services and (b) excludes playback of audio tracks from streaming services that are exclusive of the subset of the streaming media services.

30. The playback device of claim 29,

wherein the media playback system is registered with a set of streaming media services, wherein the second control device is registered with a subset of the streaming media services, and wherein the subset of functions provided by the second playback mode (a) includes playback of audio tracks from the subset of the streaming media services and (b) excludes playback of audio tracks from streaming services that are exclusive of the subset of the streaming media services.

31. The playback device of claim 26, wherein the subset further includes transport control of playback by the at least one of the plurality of playback zones, and

wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a request by the second control device to initiate playback of the playback queue; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode that includes at least transport control of playback by the at least one of the playback zones, causing the at least two playback zones of the zone group to initiate playback of the playback queue in synchrony.

32. The playback device of claim 31, wherein initiating playback of the playback queue comprises a given playback device of the zone group retrieving the one or more media items via a network interface.

33. The playback device of claim 26, the method further comprising:

receiving a request from the first control device that is in the first playback mode to place the second control device in the second playback mode.

34. The playback device of claim 26, wherein the second control device is associated with the second playback mode for a limited period of time.

35. The playback device of claim 26, wherein the second playback mode provides access to the subset of functions for a limited physical location comprising the at least one of the plurality of playback zones.

36. The playback device of claim 26, wherein the subset of functions excludes adjustment of an equalization of the plurality of playback zones.

37. The playback device of claim 26, wherein the subset of functions further excludes renaming the playback zones of the plurality of playback zones.

38. The playback device of claim 26, the method further comprising:

receiving a request by the second control device to reconfigure one or more of a plurality of playback zones by changing the specific configuration; and

based on a determination that the second control device is associated with the second playback mode, denying reconfiguration of the one or more of the plurality of playback zones according to the received request.

39. The playback device of claim 26, the method further comprising:

receiving a request by the first control device to place the second control device into the second playback mode for a limited period of time; and

based on a determination that the first control device is associated with the first playback mode, placing the second control device into the second playback mode for a limited period of time.