Apparatus and method for automatic device selection for wireless media devices

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for automatic device selection and for media content playback is provided. The apparatus includes a first media device positioned in a first media zone and being wirelessly coupled to a second media device that is positioned in a second media zone and a mobile device that transmits media content. The first media device is configured to receive a first signal from the second media device to determine a first distance of the second media device from the first media device and to receive a second signal from the mobile device to determine a second distance of the mobile device from the first media device. The first media device is further configured to playback the media content from the mobile device in the first media zone if the second distance is less than the first distance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus and method for automatic device selection for wireless media devices and for automatic playback of media content.

BACKGROUND

Multiple wireless media devices (e.g., loudspeakers and the like) positioned in the same building while paired to a mobile device may cause conflicts regarding which media device to select for media play out. Device names are generally identical for identical models (e.g., loudspeakers and mobile devices) and cannot be changed by the user. Moreover, devices are usually in separate rooms, and are obstructed by walls thereby causing determination of a wrongly selected device difficult. Once a mobile device is paired with such media devices, they may be present in a device selection list with identical names. This condition may make it difficult to ascertain which wireless mobile device is the one that is actually in a particular room. The embodiments disclosed herein may automatically resolve such an issue and others as noted below.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for automatic device selection and for media content playback is provided. The apparatus includes a first media device positioned in a first media zone and being wirelessly coupled to a second media device that is positioned in a second media zone and a mobile device that transmits media content. The first media device is configured to receive a first signal from the second media device to determine a first distance of the second media device from the first media device and to receive a second signal from the mobile device to determine a second distance of the mobile device from the first media device. The first media device is further configured to playback the media content from the mobile device in the first media zone if the second distance is less than the first distance.

In at least another embodiment, a method for automatic device selection and for media content playback is provided. The method includes wirelessly coupling a first media device to a second media device and to a mobile device that transmits media content and determining a first distance between the first media device and the second media device in response to first signal as transmitted from the second media device. The method further includes determining a second distance between the first media device and the mobile device in response to a second signal as transmitted from the mobile device and selecting the first media device to playback the media content from the mobile device in the first media zone if the second distance is less than the first distance.

In at least another embodiment, an apparatus for automatic device selection and for media content playback. The apparatus includes a mobile device for being wirelessly coupled to a first media device that receives a first signal from a second media device to determine a first distance between the first media device and the second media device. The mobile device is configured to transmit a second signal to the first media device to determine a second distance between the mobile device and the first media device and to transmit media content for playback on the first media device if the first distance is greater than the second distance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1depicts a building10including multiple media devices12a-12n(“12”) in separate rooms14a-14n(“14”). Each media device12may be a loudspeaker or other suitable device. Hereafter, element12may be referred to as either the media device or the loudspeaker. A user16carries a mobile device18throughout the rooms14. The loudspeaker12is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device18while carried by the user16. The mobile device18may be any portable device that stores media, such as a laptop computer, cellphone, tablet computer, etc. In one example, media associated with the mobile device18may be stored remotely (e.g., in a “cloud”) and accessed by the mobile device18. Additionally, the loudspeaker12may include a battery (not shown) and may be portable or generally fixed within the room14. It is recognized that the media device12may also be a television, a home theatre system or a video terminal or any other device that is situated to transmit audio and/or video data (hereafter “entertainment data”).

In general, the mobile device18is configured to select a corresponding media device12to transmit the entertainment data in a corresponding room14. For example, as the user16enters into room14a, the mobile device18is generally arranged to identify and select the loudspeaker12ato transmit the entertainment data. As the user16strolls through the building10and enters the room14b, the mobile device18is configured to deactivate the loudspeaker12aand to activate the loudspeaker12bfor transmitting the entertainment data in the room14bto the user16. This pattern repeats itself as the user16moves about the various rooms14within the building10while carrying the mobile device18.

It is recognized that for the foregoing process to execute as described, the user16may be required to pair his/her mobile device18to each media device12once. However, in this case, two or more of the various media devices12in the various rooms14may be similar to one another. For example, the loudspeaker12ain the room14amay be similar to the loudspeaker12bin the room14b. Thus, the mobile device18when paired to the loudspeakers12aand12bmay store the same device name (or other data which is the same) for such loudspeakers12aand12b. In this case, the mobile device18may select the incorrect loudspeaker12aor12b. For example, assume the user16reenters the room14afrom the room14b. In this case, the mobile device18may keep the loudspeaker12bin the room14bactive while the user16is in the room14a. In addition, assume the user16enters into the room14d, the mobile device18may activate the loudspeaker12cto transmit the entertainment data and not activate the loudspeaker12dif the loudspeakers12cand12dshare similar identification data. In this case, the user16may hear the loudspeaker12ctransmitting the entertainment data in the room14cwhile he/she is actually located in the room14dor may not simply hear the entertainment data altogether.

FIG. 2generally illustrates a listing of Bluetooth® devices that are stored in a look up table (LUT)20within the mobile device18. Such Bluetooth® devices may be the media devices12. The various media devices12are stored within the LUT20with a corresponding device name22(e.g., BluBridg . . . , OnBeat XT). A status24for each device name22(e.g., connected or not connected) is shown in the LUT20. As shown, similar device names22are provided for a number of media devices12. Thus, the user16of the mobile device18may not know which device name22to establish a connection with for a particular room14. The implementation as set forth below in connection withFIG. 3alleviates the condition where similar device names22are used for similar media devices12. In addition, the implementation as set forth below in connection withFIG. 3may also be used to resolve conflicts when two or more media device12are detected to be proximate to the mobile device18and the mobile device18plays back the media content with the incorrect media device12. The aspect will be discussed in more detail in connection withFIG. 8.

FIG. 3generally illustrates the media device12(e.g., wireless loudspeaker) for wirelessly transmitting information to the mobile device18such that the mobile device18learns the identity of the media device12for a particular room14. For example, the loudspeaker12may include a microcontroller26for providing an audio watermark28that includes an inaudible signature. An adder30may combine the inaudible signature onto an audio signal32to generate a predetermined audio signal. The relevance of the predetermined audio signal will be described in more detail below.

Upon the mobile device18establishing a connection with the loudspeaker12(e.g., mobile device18selects the loudspeaker12to establish a wireless connection therewith via Bluetooth® or other suitable protocol (while not shown, it is recognized that the media device12and the mobile device18may each have a transceiver for enabling bi-directional communication with a suitable protocol)), the loudspeaker12embeds the inaudible signature onto the audio signal32which is then transmitted to the mobile device18. Alternatively, the audio watermark28may include an audible preamble tone that is placed on the audio signal32. The audible preamble tone that is placed on the audio signal32may also be defined as the predetermined audio signal. The loudspeaker12then transmits the predetermined audio signal to the mobile device18after a connection is established between the loudspeaker12and the mobile device18just prior to the loudspeaker12playing back the audio signal to determine if there is a match to data stored in the mobile device18.

The mobile device18includes memory57for storing either the inaudible signature or the audible preamble that is previously stored thereto during a pairing operation. The mobile device18further includes an internal microphone34(or other receiver) for receiving the predetermined audio signal (i.e., the mobile device18may actively sample data on the predetermined audio signal). The mobile device18includes a classifier37for classifying the inaudible signature or the audible preamble. In other words, the classifier37compares the inaudible signature or the audible preamble as provided on the predetermined audio signal to the stored inaudible signature or to the stored audible preamble, respectively, to determine if there is a match.

If the inaudible signature or the audible preamble match the stored inaudible signature or the stored audible preamble, respectively, then the mobile device18begins sourcing audio to loudspeaker12such that the loudspeaker12plays back the audio data to the user16. If not, then the mobile device18may select the next closest loudspeaker12as determined via radio signal proximity as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/923,936 (“the '936 application”), filed on Jan. 6, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In another embodiment, the user16may instruct the mobile device18to select the next closest loudspeaker12. If a match is not found, then the mobile device18may select or be instructed to select the next loudspeaker12as included in the LUT20and attempt to establish a connection for the purpose of receiving the predetermined audio signal from the same to determine if there is a match and so on. This process may repeat itself until a match is found or each of the loudspeakers12are checked to determine if the match is found. It is recognized that the above process is symmetrical and that the mobile device18may be the source for transmitting the predetermined audio signal and the loudspeaker12may perform the classification (or comparison). As noted above, the process may also be employed in the event the media devices12detect multiple media devices12in proximity to the mobile device18which causes an overlap condition. This will be discussed in more detail below.

Intelligent media and information zones (e.g., media zones) generally include the rooms14within an establishment (e.g., building or home) that have the media devices12(e.g., wireless speakers, docking stations, video terminals, home theater systems, etc.) linked with an intelligent connectivity network that enables a user's media content to be delivered automatically to each room14as the user16moves from room to room (or vehicle). A user's content is assumed to be stored on, or accessible from, the mobile device18, such as the tablet or cellular phone.

In effect, the present disclosure provides, but not limited to, that the user's media “follows” the user throughout the rooms14(or even from the building10to a vehicle) thereby creating a new user experience. For example, imagine waking up in the morning and linking your mobile device18to a loudspeaker12such as an OnBeat Xtreme® to play music. Once dressed, the user16may place the mobile device18in his/her pocket and walk downstairs to the kitchen where another loudspeaker12(e.g., a JBL Soundfly®) is installed and ready for playback once the mobile device18and the loudspeaker12establish a connection with each other. For example, as the user16leaves his/her bedroom to walk downstairs towards the kitchen, the user16will hear the audio pause as the user16starts down the stairs to walk to the kitchen. As the user16enters the kitchen, the loudspeaker12therein begins seamlessly playing the audio right from where it paused. This can be extended to every room14of the home or into a vehicle as the user16leaves his/her home and enters into the vehicle.

There may be two use cases for media zones. The simplest case is a single media zone. In this case, the media zone comprises the entire room14in a building. Here, the media device12may initiate media content playback when the user16enters the room14with the mobile device18and pauses the media content playback when the user16exits the room14. Areas outside of this single room14(e.g., media zone) are generally defined as inactive zones. Media content is either played locally from loudspeaker(s) and a screen (not shown) of the mobile device18, or not played back when the user16(or the mobile device18) is in an inactive zone.

The other use case includes multiple media zones. In this case, there may be multiple rooms14with each including at least one desired media device12to playback media content as the user16enters a particular room14. The media zone is generally defined as a room including at least one desired media device12that is to playback media content when the mobile device18is present. The remaining rooms14which include the media device12are inactive since the user16(i.e., the mobile device18) is not present in such rooms. For example, as the user16leaves a first media zone and enters a second media zone, the media (or audio) ceases to be played back in the first media zone and starts in the second media zone. In general, the media “follows” the user16from room to room (or media zone to media zone).

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide for a learning approach to map the media zones. Rather than to attempt to accurately initialize the media zone boundaries when the media device(s)12is installed, an apparatus as disclosed herein which learns and adapts various zone mappings over time based on an automatic input from the apparatus and/or manual input from the user16. In general, manual mapping is not resilient and may be prone to errors. Moreover, it cannot react to changes in the location of the media delivery device.

The media devices12, along with the mobile device18, where possible, may communicate directly with one another to form a mesh network. Media zone locations, sizes, conflicts and resolutions may be stored on the media devices12. This enables the media devices12and the mobile device18to exchange data with one another to notify the same which form a network of changes (e.g., media zone size or deletion). In general, the media devices12may each acquire various sensor fusion location parameters as described in the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/923,857 (“the '857 application”), filed on Jan. 6, 2014 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and the '936 application. Such parameters may comprise distance between the media devices12and the mobile device18, orientation of the mobile device18, and movement of the mobile device18. These parameters may be used to map an area in the building10to a specific media device12and the user16. These parameters will be discussed in more detail in connection withFIG. 7. In addition, each media device12a-12nmay determine the signal strength for each signal received from another media device to ascertain the distance between the two media devices12. The media device12uses such information to build a wireless fingerprint for each room14. In addition, the mobile device18may receive this information and use the parameters along with the media devices12to provide a wireless finger print for each room14. These aspects will be discussed in more detail in connection withFIG. 7.

FIG. 4depicts the condition in which the user16enters the room14afor the first time after installing the media device12. Line36depicts the user's path through the room14a. The region38indicates an initial media zone mapping as determined based on parameters and other information that are computed as the user16moves throughout the room14a. When the user16(or the mobile device18) is in the region38, such region38indicates an initial media zone mapping as determined by parameters that are computed as the user16moves throughout the room14a. When the user16is in the region38, the media device12and the mobile device18electronically connect and share media content. In this case, the audio (or other media) is playing on the media device12as provided by the mobile device18being carried by the user16.

FIG. 5depicts the condition in which the user16has moved into the second room14b. In this case, the media device12stops playing when the user16is outside of the region38in the room14aand begins playing when the user16is in the region38of the room14b. Line36depicts the user's16path through the room14b.

Due to the nature of using radio frequencies to track the location of the mobile device18, it is possible that some areas may overlap because they have similar signal strength values to one another. In addition, it may be possible that in some cases, as the user16moves through the building10and the zone mappings are updated, that the media zone (e.g., region38) in an adjacent room may appear to be closer or equidistant to the media zone (e.g., region38) in the room14the user16currently occupies.

FIG. 6generally depicts the condition in which an overlap is present between media devices12in different rooms14. For example, the user16has re-entered the room14aand the media zone mapping is being updated as indicated by the path36as illustrated. However, the signal strength from the adjacent media device12in the room14bis strong enough to indicate that the user16while positioned in the room14a, is actually closer to the media device12in the room14b. In this case, a wall in the building10separates the rooms14aand14band the user's position with the media device12positioned in the room14bis learned instead of the position of the media device12in the room14a. This condition may need to be corrected.

FIG. 7depicts an apparatus40for creating a media zone in accordance to one embodiment. In general, the media devices12aand12nare configured to wirelessly communicate with one another, and the mobile device18. For example, the media devices12aor12nmay ascertain the signal strength for each received signal from the other media device12aor12nand the mobile device18in order to determine the distance from one another or to determine the distance of the media device12or to a main Wi-Fi access point. The media device12aincludes the microcontroller26, a first transceiver44and a second transceiver48. It is recognized the media device12nas shown inFIG. 7also includes all components as illustrated and described in connection with the media device12aand that such components operate similarly for the media device12n.

The first transceiver44is generally configured to enable communication via Wi-Fi with a basic wireless network that is positioned in the building10. Thus, the media device12aand the media device12nmay transmit beacon signals periodically to and from one another via Wi-Fi access points. Each media device12aand12nmay determine the signal strength for each beacon signal received to then determine the distance between the two media devices12aand12nand the distance to the access points. Additionally, the second transceiver48of the media device12ais generally configured to enable communication via BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (“BLE”) and/or BLUETOOTH with the media device12n. Thus, the media device12aand the media device12nmay transmit beacon signals periodically to and from one another via BLE. Each media device12aand12nmay determine the signal strength for each beacon signal received to then determine the distance between the two media devices12aand12n(i.e., to determine the location of the media device12). The media device12afurther includes memory50for storing distance information (or the location of the media device12n) based on the signal strength of the signal as received from the media device12n.

The media devices12aand12nare configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device18. The mobile device18includes a microcontroller52and a first transceiver54to enable communication with the media devices12. The first transceiver54is generally configured to enable communication via BLE of Wi-Fi with the various media devices12. One or more of the media devices12transmit a beacon signal to the mobile device18. The mobile device18transmits a signal to the media device12in response to the beacon signal. The media device12then determines the signal strength of the signal received from the media device12to ascertain the distance to the mobile device18(or the location of the mobile device18) from the media device12.

The media device12automatically activates itself to play back the media content provided from the mobile device18in response to detecting that the mobile device18is within the location it previously stored. In general, the location of the mobile device18is tracked and stored by the media device12. The media device12instructs the mobile device18to begin media play out to the media devices12. All of the intelligence may be stored in the media devices12.

Additionally, the mobile device18includes an accelerometer sensor56and a compass60. The accelerometer sensor56provides acceleration data of the mobile device18in the x, y, z axis. The compass60provides current orientation or direction of the mobile device18relative to the North Pole.

The media device12continuously calculates and stores the user's proximity to the media device12. The memory50in the media device12continuously updates data as stored therein that includes the distance of the mobile device18from the media device12, orientation of the mobile device18, and movement of the mobile device18as the user16moves throughout the zone where the media device12is located. In this way, the media device12learns the general boundaries of the zone over time and adapts by way of re-learning if the media device12is relocated.

The mobile device18transmits information corresponding to the acceleration data, and the current orientation direction of the mobile device18(e.g., parameters) to the media device12. The memory50in the media device12continuously updates the data as stored therein that includes the distance of the mobile device18from the media device12, orientation of the mobile device18, and movement of the mobile device18as the user16moves throughout the zone where the media device12is located. Each media device12builds a wireless fingerprint for each room14(or media zone) based on the information collected from one another and from the mobile device18. The media device12amay use the acceleration data and the orientation data provided by the mobile device18to anticipate when the mobile device18transitions from one media zone into another media zone that includes a different media device12.

It is recognized that the media device12may also include an infrared (IR) detector70to aid in detecting when the user16is in the room14. If the user16is detected to be in the room14and the mobile device18is detected to within distance (or location) of the media device12, the media device12may activate itself for playback and transmit a signal to the mobile device18to initiate playback of the media content. Additionally, the media device12may also include an altimeter72to aid in the elevation detection of another media device12.

As exhibited above, the media device12is configured to automatically activate itself (without user intervention) upon detecting that the mobile device18is positioned proximate to the media device12. If the media device12arecognizes that the mobile device18is closer to another media device12n(i.e., is positioned in another media zone), then the media device12amay deactivate itself while the media device12nactivates itself to being playback. This may occur without user intervention.

While noted above that each of media device12and the mobile device18transmits and receives location information to one another for building a wireless fingerprint for each room14, it is recognized that only the various media devices12may simply build a wireless fingerprint for each room14. In this case, the corresponding media device12that detects the mobile device18is positioned proximate to the media device12, may transmit a control signal to the mobile device18to initiate media playback. As the user16moves through various rooms14, the media device12athat is active may deactivate itself as such a media device12athat the mobile device18is no longer proximate thereto and the media device12nthat is now proximate to the mobile device18may transmit the control signal to the mobile device18to continue media playback with the media device12n.

FIG. 8depicts a method80for detecting the media devices12and the mobile device18to establish media zones.

In operation84, the media devices12may determine the location of other media devices12in various rooms14and also determine the location of the mobile device18as noted above. The memory50in the media device12continuously updates the data as stored therein that includes the distance of the mobile device18from the media device12, orientation/direction of the mobile device18, and movement of the mobile device18as the user16moves throughout the zone where the media device12is located. In this way, the media devices12learn the general boundaries of the zone over time and adapt by way of re-learning if the media device12is relocated. Each media device12builds a wireless fingerprint for each room14(or media zone) based on the information collected from one another and from the mobile device18.

In operation86, the media device12initiates media playback with the mobile device18to play back the media content when the user16is detected to be within the media zone. When the user16moves outside of the media zone, media play out will be suspended, paused, or played out locally on the mobile device18until the user16enters another media zone. Areas without active media zones are generally defined as “inactive zones” where no media play out occurs, or where the user16may choose to have the media play locally on the mobile device18.

Consider the following example for the manner in which the media device12initiates media playback. If the media device12adetermines that media device12nis positioned 10 ft. away based on the measured signal strength from the signal received from the media device12nand the media device12adetermines that the mobile device18is positioned 2 ft. away, the media device12amay activate itself to initiate playing back the media content as received from the mobile device18. In this case, the mobile device18is positioned within the media zone that includes the media device12a.

Conversely, if the media device12adetermines that the media device12nis positioned 10 ft. away and the mobile device18is positioned 10 ft away, the media device12amay not activate itself in this case. Each media device12aand12nmay then monitor the acceleration data and/or direction data as provided by the mobile device18to determine whether the mobile device18is positioned in the media zone that includes the media device12aor in the media zone that includes the media device12n.

In operation88, the media devices12each determine whether there is a media zone overlap. For example, the mobile device18transmits proximity data indicating there are two or more media devices12that are detected in a particular media zone, or are detected to be proximate to the mobile device18. If this condition is true, then the method80moves to operation90. If not, then the method80remains in operation88to continue with the media play out.

In operation90, the media devices12deselect a default media device12to locate and select a correct media device12. This may be achieved in one of two ways. In a first implementation, the user16may manually select the correct media device12that is to be assigned to a particular media zone via selection with a user interface on the mobile device18such that the LUT20is updated to reflect that the selected media device12will be used in the particular media zone. When an override is entered by the user16, the user's location data is stored, so that the media devices12learn and automatically selects the correct media device12when the user16enters the media zone experiencing the zone overlap. The location data may include radio signal strength, and other suitable types of data to provide the location. In another example, a wireless “fingerprint” of the room14may be stored which includes all currently active Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® beacons, compass data, etc. Over time, the media zone overlap will be mapped and resolved in favor of the correct media device12without manual intervention. In this way, walls and other obstructions are implicitly mapped. It is recognized that the media devices12may also recognize when it is selected to be the device to playback the media content when a manual override is provided.

In a second implementation, the media devices12may utilize the technique as disclosed above (seeFIG. 3) in which the media device12may be automatically selected without any intervention from the mobile device18. For example, the media device12may transmit a control signal to the mobile device18instructing the mobile device18to command the media device12to transmit the predetermined audio signal which includes either the audible preamble or the stored inaudible signature (or watermark) to determine if there is a match with the stored data in the LUT20of the mobile device18. If there is a match, then the media device12updates the memory50such that the matched media device12is identified as the correct media device12for the media zone which exhibits the overlap condition. If a match is not found, the media device12transmits a command to the next media device12which is detected in the overlapped media zone (or the next media device12that has the highest signal strength).

In operation92, the media devices12establish the media zone with the selected media device12as entered via user input or with the matched media device12as automatically determined by virtue of the media device12including the matched audible preamble or the stored inaudible signature. For example, the media device12in room14a(i.e., a first room), and the media device in room14b(i.e., a second room) each store correct zone mapping data independently. The zone mapping data may include wireless fingerprints of any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® beacons, dead reckoning data from a compass and accelerometers in addition to other types of sensors such as infrared and ultrasonic.

FIG. 9depicts the condition in which the user16enters the room14afor the first time after installing the media device12.FIG. 10depicts an increase in the media zone (see region38a).FIG. 11depicts an occurrence of a potential media zone conflict between the media device12positioned in the room14aand the media device12positioned in the room14b. The overlap occurs if the signal strength of the media device12as positioned in the room14bis equal to or greater than the signal strength of the media device12positioned in the room14a.

FIG. 12depicts the media zone overlap between the media device12positioned in the room14aand the media device12positioned in the room14bhas been resolved. As noted above, resolution of the overlapped media zone may be executed in connection with operation90as noted above in connection withFIG. 8. As also noted above, each of the media device12and the mobile device18includes a transceiver for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from one another. The media devices12in each room14establishes a mesh network45between one another such that each media device12stores the location data which identifies the correct media zone for each media device12.

FIG. 13depicts the generation of a new media zone (see region42) in the room14bas the user16has entered and navigated that space. A new conflict is not created in this case because of the distance between the media device12in the room14aand the mobile device18(on the user16) in the room14b, and because the presence of a wall46causes the signal strength of the mobile device18to be higher at the media device12positioned in the room14bthan that of the media device12positioned in the room14a.

The present disclosure generally determines which media device12is the right one to playback media based on (i) proximity (e.g., radio signal strength measurements), (ii) fingerprints (e.g., the location has a wireless signature that has been seen before by the media device12), and/or (iii) the successful selection of the media device12as determined by the device hearing the watermark or preamble, or (iv) the user16manually overriding the system. All these of these aspects together, when mapped and learned over time, constitute a media zone. In this sense, a media zone is a logical construct rather than a 1:1 mapping with a room. In some cases, there will be a 1:1 correspondence between a media zone and the physical room, but there doesn't have to be. This is illustrated byFIG. 9-13. InFIG. 9, the media zone is small and only encompasses about half of the room. InFIG. 10, the media zone is a bit larger, but still not equal to the room dimensions. InFIG. 11, the media zone is now encompassing the whole room, and part of the adjacent room. Once the conflict is resolved (automatically or manually), the implementation learns the true dimensions of the zone as inFIG. 13. However, imagine a case where the two rooms are only separated by a door-sized opening in the wall, and there is only a single media device12. In that case, the implementation could create a media zone that encompasses either rooms or even only part of the adjacent room. In effect, over time the implementation will (i) determine which device is closest to the mobile device, (ii) determine what the fingerprint looks like and whether it has been seen before, (iii) attempt to play to the device, and (iv) determine whether the preamble was heard and if true, add this to the zone information. These operations are repeated iteratively and over time and the zone forms automatically.

FIG. 14depicts a method150as executed by an apparatus for automatic device selection and for media content playback in accordance to one embodiment.

In operation152, the first media device12areceives a first signal from a second media device12bto determine a first distance of the second media device12bfrom the first media device12a.

In operation154, the first media device12areceives a second signal from the mobile device18to determine a second distance of the mobile device18from the first media device12a.

In operation156, the first media device12aplays back the media content from the mobile device18in the first media zone if the second distance is less than the first distance.

In operation158, the first media device12atransmits one of an inaudible signature and an audible preamble to the mobile device18if the first distance is equal to the second distance.

In operation160, the first media device12areceives the media content from the mobile device18in response to the mobile device18comparing the audible preamble to a first stored audible preamble corresponding to the first media device12and determining that the audible preamble matches the first stored audible preamble.