Patent Description:
Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loud setting were limited until in <NUM>, when SONOS, Inc. filed for one of its first patent applications, entitled "Method for Synchronizing Audio Playback between Multiple Networked Devices," and began offering a media playback system for sale in <NUM>. The Sonos Wireless HiFi System enables people to experience music from a plethora of sources via one or more networked playback devices. Through a software control application installed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, one can play what he or she wants in any room that has a networked playback device. Additionally, using the controller, for example, different songs can be streamed to each room with a playback device, rooms can be grouped together for synchronous playback, or the same song can be heard in all rooms synchronously.

Given the ever growing interest in digital media, there continues to be a need to develop consumer-accessible technologies to further enhance the listening experience.

<CIT> discloses systems and methods for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. <CIT> discloses systems and methods for player setup room names. <CIT> discloses controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system.

Aspects of the invention are defined by the appended independent claims.

The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example embodiments, but it is understood that the inventions are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

Examples discussed herein relate to identification of device groups in a network. In one example, one or more devices in a network may be grouped together to perform certain functions as a group. For instance, one or more playback devices in a media playback system may form a zone group to play media content in synchrony. Each group in the network may have a group identification, a group name, and a group coordinator. Devices having the same group identification may be part of the same group. A group coordinator of the group may coordinate the devices in the group to perform the certain functions as a group. In the case of the media playback system, the group coordinator may coordinate synchronous playback of media content by each device in the zone group.

A computing device is in communication with the devices in the network to receive group information for the devices in the network. For instance, the computing device may be a controller device of the media playback system, and may display on a user interface the group configurations of the playback devices in the media playback system.

In some examples, the computing device receives from each device on the network that is capable of being a group coordinator, a transmission indicating a group identification associated with a group the respective device is a part of. In one example, the transmission indicating the group identification of the respective device may be a part of a transmission indicating the presence of the respective device on the network. The computing device may then, based on the received group identification, maintain a table of devices in the network, and a group identification corresponding to each device entry in the table. The table is stored as data on storage data associated with the computing device.

In one case, the transmission received from a device in the network further indicates whether the device is a group coordinator of the group associated with the group identification indicated in the transmission. In the case the device is a group coordinator, the transmission may further indicate a display name that can be displayed to represent the group on a user interface. In the case of the media playback system, the user interface may be a controller interface for controlling the media playback system. The indication that the device is the group coordinator and the display name may also be stored in the table.

In one example, a particular device on the network is adapted to send to the computing device, the transmission indicating a group identification associated with the particular device in response to a request from the computing device for the group identification associated with the particular device. In another example, the particular device may send the transmission when the group identification associated with the device has changed. For instance, if the particular device has changed from being in a first group to a second group, the particular device may responsively send to the computing device, a transmission indicating a group identification that is associated with the second group. In some cases, the particular device may also send to the computing device a transmission indicating that the particular device is no longer part of the first group. In another instance, if the particular device has changed from being a group coordinator to not being a group coordinator, or vice versa, the particular device is adapted to responsively send to the computing device, a transmission indicating such a change.

As indicated above, the present discussions involve identification of device groups in a network. In one aspect, a method is provided. The method involves receiving, by a controller device from a playback device of a media playback system, a transmission indicating a group identification associated with a zone group. The playback device is capable of being a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices. The method also involves storing, by the controller device, in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group.

In another aspect, a controller device is provided. The controller device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the controller device to perform functions. The functions include receiving from a playback device of a media playback system, a transmission indicating a group identification associated with a zone group. The playback device is capable of being a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices. The functions also include storing in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable memory is provided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereon instructions executable by a controller device to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functions include receiving from a playback device of a media playback system, a transmission indicating a group identification associated with a zone group. The playback device is capable of being a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices. The functions also include storing in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group.

In another aspect, a method is provided. The method involves receiving, by a playback device from a controller device, a request for group identification information from playback devices capable of being a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices, and determining, by the playback device, a group identification associated with a zone group in a media playback system. The playback device is one of at least one playback device in the zone group. The method also involves sending, by the playback device to the controller device, a transmission indicating the group identification.

In another aspect, a playback device is provided. The playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions. The functions include receiving from a controller device, a request for group identification information from playback devices capable of being a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices, and determining a group identification associated with a zone group in a media playback system. The playback device is one of at least one playback device in the zone group. The functions also include sending to the controller device, a transmission indicating the group identification.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable memory is provided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereon instructions executable by a playback device to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functions include receiving from a controller device, a request for group identification information from playback devices capable of being a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices, and determining a group identification associated with a zone group in a media playback system. The playback device is one of at least one playback device in the zone group. The functions also include sending to the controller device, a transmission indicating the group identification.

In another aspect, a method is provided. The method involves receiving, by a controller device from a playback device of a media playback system, a transmission indicating (a) a group identification associated with a zone group and (b) one of (i) that the playback device is a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices or (ii) that the playback device is not the group coordinator. The method also involves storing, by the controller device, in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group.

In another aspect, a controller device is provided. The controller device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the controller device to perform functions. The functions include receiving from a playback device of a media playback system, a transmission indicating (a) a group identification associated with a zone group and (b) one of (i) that the playback device is a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices or (ii) that the playback device is not the group coordinator. The functions also include storing in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group.

In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable memory is provided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereon instructions executable by a controller device to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functions include receiving from a playback device of a media playback system, a transmission indicating (a) a group identification associated with a zone group and (b) one of (i) that the playback device is a group coordinator for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices or (ii) that the playback device is not the group coordinator. The functions also include storing in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group.

While some examples described herein may refer to functions performed by given actors such as "users" and/or other entities, it should be understood that this is for purposes of explanation only.

<FIG> shows an example configuration of a media playback system <NUM> in which one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced or implemented. The media playback system <NUM> as shown is associated with an example home environment having several rooms and spaces, such as for example, a master bedroom, an office, a dining room, and a living room. As shown in the example of <FIG>, the media playback system <NUM> includes playback devices <NUM>-<NUM>, control devices <NUM> and <NUM>, and a wired or wireless network router <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device <NUM> that may be configured to be one or more of the playback devices <NUM>-<NUM> of the media playback system <NUM> of <FIG>. The playback device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, software components <NUM>, memory <NUM>, audio processing components <NUM>, audio amplifier(s) <NUM>, speaker(s) <NUM>, and a network interface <NUM> including wireless interface(s) <NUM> and wired interface(s) <NUM>. In one case, the playback device <NUM> may not include the speaker(s) <NUM>, but rather a speaker interface for connecting the playback device <NUM> to external speakers. In another case, the playback device <NUM> may include neither the speaker(s) <NUM> nor the audio amplifier(s) <NUM>, but rather an audio interface for connecting the playback device <NUM> to an external audio amplifier or audio-visual receiver.

In one example, the processor <NUM> may be a clock-driven computing component configured to process input data according to instructions stored in the memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be a tangible computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by the processor <NUM>. For instance, the memory <NUM> may be data storage that can be loaded with one or more of the software components <NUM> executable by the processor <NUM> to achieve certain functions. In one example, the functions may involve the playback device <NUM> retrieving audio data from an audio source or another playback device. In another example, the functions may involve the playback device <NUM> sending audio data to another device or playback device on a network. In yet another example, the functions may involve pairing of the playback device <NUM> with one or more playback devices to create a multichannel audio environment.

Certain functions may involve the playback device <NUM> synchronizing playback of audio content with one or more other playback devices. During synchronous playback, a listener will preferably not be able to perceive time-delay differences between playback of the audio content by the playback device <NUM> and the one or more other playback devices. <CIT> entitled, "System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices," provides in more detail some examples for audio playback synchronization among playback devices.

The memory <NUM> may further be configured to store data associated with the playback device <NUM>, such as one or more zones and/or zone groups the playback device <NUM> is a part of, audio sources accessible by the playback device <NUM>, or a playback queue that the playback device <NUM> (or some other playback device) may be associated with. The data may be stored as one or more state variables that are periodically updated and used to describe the state of the playback device <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may also include the data associated with the state of the other devices of the media system, and shared from time to time among the devices so that one or more of the devices have the most recent data associated with the system.

The audio processing components <NUM> may include one or more digital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, an audio enhancement component or a digital signal processor (DSP), and so on. In one embodiment, one or more of the audio processing components <NUM> may be a subcomponent of the processor <NUM>. In one example, audio content may be processed and/or intentionally altered by the audio processing components <NUM> to produce audio signals. The produced audio signals may then be provided to the audio amplifier(s) <NUM> for amplification and playback through speaker(s) <NUM>. Particularly, the audio amplifier(s) <NUM> may include devices configured to amplify audio signals to a level for driving one or more of the speakers <NUM>. The speaker(s) <NUM> may include an individual transducer (e.g., a "driver") or a complete speaker system involving an enclosure with one or more drivers. A particular driver of the speaker(s) <NUM> may include, for example, a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), a mid-range driver (e.g., for middle frequencies), and/or a tweeter (e.g., for high frequencies). In some cases, each transducer in the one or more speakers <NUM> may be driven by an individual corresponding audio amplifier of the audio amplifier(s) <NUM>. In addition to producing analog signals for playback by the playback device <NUM>, the audio processing components <NUM> may be configured to process audio content to be sent to one or more other playback devices for playback.

Audio content to be processed and/or played back by the playback device <NUM> may be received from an external source, such as via an audio line-in input connection (e.g., an auto-detecting <NUM> audio line-in connection) or the network interface <NUM>.

The network interface <NUM> is adapted to be configured to facilitate a data flow between the playback device <NUM> and one or more other devices on a data network. As such, the playback device <NUM> is adapted to be configured to receive audio content over the data network from one or more other playback devices in communication with the playback device <NUM>, network devices within a local area network, or audio content sources over a wide area network such as the Internet. In one example, the audio content and other signals transmitted and received by the playback device <NUM> may be transmitted in the form of digital packet data containing an Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address and IP-based destination addresses. In such a case, the network interface <NUM> may be configured to parse the digital packet data such that the data destined for the playback device <NUM> is properly received and processed by the playback device <NUM>.

As shown, the network interface <NUM> may include wireless interface(s) <NUM> and wired interface(s) <NUM>. The wireless interface(s) <NUM> may provide network interface functions for the playback device <NUM> to wirelessly communicate with other devices (e.g., other playback device(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), network device(s), control device(s) within a data network the playback device <NUM> is associated with) in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any wireless standard including IEEE <NUM>. 11a, <NUM>. 11b, <NUM>, <NUM>. 11n, <NUM>. 11ac, <NUM>, <NUM> mobile communication standard, and so on). The wired interface(s) <NUM> may provide network interface functions for the playback device <NUM> to communicate over a wired connection with other devices in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE <NUM>). While the network interface <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes both wireless interface(s) <NUM> and wired interface(s) <NUM>, the network interface <NUM> may in some embodiments include only wireless interface(s) or only wired interface(s).

In one example, the playback device <NUM> and one other playback device may be paired to play two separate audio components of audio content. For instance, playback device <NUM> may be configured to play a left channel audio component, while the other playback device may be configured to play a right channel audio component, thereby producing or enhancing a stereo effect of the audio content. The paired playback devices (also referred to as "bonded playback devices") may further play audio content in synchrony with other playback devices.

In another example, the playback device <NUM> may be sonically consolidated with one or more other playback devices to form a single, consolidated playback device. A consolidated playback device may be configured to process and reproduce sound differently than an unconsolidated playback device or playback devices that are paired, because a consolidated playback device may have additional speaker drivers through which audio content may be rendered. For instance, if the playback device <NUM> is a playback device designed to render low frequency range audio content (i.e. a subwoofer), the playback device <NUM> may be consolidated with a playback device designed to render full frequency range audio content. In such a case, the full frequency range playback device, when consolidated with the low frequency playback device <NUM>, may be configured to render only the mid and high frequency components of audio content, while the low frequency range playback device <NUM> renders the low frequency component of the audio content. The consolidated playback device may further be paired with a single playback device or yet another consolidated playback device.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. presently offers (or has offered) for sale certain playback devices including a "PLAY:<NUM>," "PLAY:<NUM>," "PLAY:<NUM>," "PLAYBAR," "CONNECT:AMP," "CONNECT," and "SUB. " Any other past, present, and/or future playback devices may additionally or alternatively be used to implement the playback devices of example embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it is understood that a playback device is not limited to the example illustrated in <FIG> or to the SONOS product offerings. For example, a playback device may include a wired or wireless headphone. In another example, a playback device may include or interact with a docking station for personal mobile media playback devices. In yet another example, a playback device may be integral to another device or component such as a television, a lighting fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

Referring back to the media playback system <NUM> of <FIG>, the environment may have one or more playback zones, each with one or more playback devices. The media playback system <NUM> may be established with one or more playback zones, after which one or more zones may be added, or removed to arrive at the example configuration shown in <FIG>. Each zone may be given a name according to a different room or space such as an office, bathroom, master bedroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and/or balcony. In one case, a single playback zone may include multiple rooms or spaces. In another case, a single room or space may include multiple playback zones.

As shown in <FIG>, the balcony, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, office, and bedroom zones each have one playback device, while the living room and master bedroom zones each have multiple playback devices. In the living room zone, playback devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be configured to play audio content in synchrony as individual playback devices, as one or more bonded playback devices, as one or more consolidated playback devices, or any combination thereof. Similarly, in the case of the master bedroom, playback devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to play audio content in synchrony as individual playback devices, as a bonded playback device, or as a consolidated playback device.

In one example, one or more playback zones in the environment of <FIG> may each be playing different audio content. For instance, the user may be grilling in the balcony zone and listening to hip hop music being played by the playback device <NUM> while another user may be preparing food in the kitchen zone and listening to classical music being played by the playback device <NUM>. In another example, a playback zone may play the same audio content in synchrony with another playback zone. For instance, the user may be in the office zone where the playback device <NUM> is playing the same rock music that is being playing by playback device <NUM> in the balcony zone. In such a case, playback devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be playing the rock music in synchrony such that the user may seamlessly (or at least substantially seamlessly) enjoy the audio content that is being played out-loud while moving between different playback zones. Synchronization among playback zones may be achieved in a manner similar to that of synchronization among playback devices, as described in previously referenced <CIT>.

Further, different playback zones of the media playback system <NUM> may be dynamically combined into zone groups or split up into individual playback zones. For instance, the dining room zone and the kitchen zone <NUM> may be combined into a zone group for a dinner party such that playback devices <NUM> and <NUM> may render audio content in synchrony. On the other hand, the living room zone may be split into a television zone including playback device <NUM>, and a listening zone including playback devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, if the user wishes to listen to music in the living room space while another user wishes to watch television.

<FIG> shows a functional block diagram of an example control device <NUM> that may be configured to be one or both of the control devices <NUM> and <NUM> of the media playback system <NUM>. As shown, the control device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, a network interface <NUM>, and a user interface <NUM>. In one example, the control device <NUM> may be a dedicated controller for the media playback system <NUM>. In another example, the control device <NUM> may be a network device on which media playback system controller application software may be installed, such as for example, an iPhone™, iPad™ or any other smart phone, tablet or network device (e.g., a networked computer such as a PC or Mac™).

The processor <NUM> may be configured to perform functions relevant to facilitating user access, control, and configuration of the media playback system <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be configured to store instructions executable by the processor <NUM> to perform those functions. The memory <NUM> may also be configured to store the media playback system controller application software and other data associated with the media playback system <NUM> and the user.

In one example, the network interface <NUM> may be based on an industry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wired standards including IEEE <NUM>, wireless standards including IEEE <NUM>. 11a, <NUM>. 11b, <NUM>, <NUM>. 11n, <NUM>. 11ac, <NUM>, <NUM> mobile communication standard, and so on). The network interface <NUM> may provide a means for the control device <NUM> to communicate with other devices in the media playback system <NUM>. In one example, data and information (e.g., such as a state variable) may be communicated between control device <NUM> and other devices via the network interface <NUM>. For instance, playback zone and zone group configurations in the media playback system <NUM> may be received by the control device <NUM> from a playback device or another network device, or transmitted by the control device <NUM> to another playback device or network device via the network interface <NUM>. In some cases, the other network device may be another control device.

Playback device control commands such as volume control and audio playback control may also be communicated from the control device <NUM> to a playback device via the network interface <NUM>. As suggested above, changes to configurations of the media playback system <NUM> may also be performed by a user using the control device <NUM>. The configuration changes may include adding/removing one or more playback devices to/from a zone, adding/removing one or more zones to/from a zone group, forming a bonded or consolidated player, separating one or more playback devices from a bonded or consolidated player, among others. Accordingly, the control device <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as a controller, whether the control device <NUM> is a dedicated controller or a network device on which media playback system controller application software is installed.

The user interface <NUM> of the control device <NUM> may be configured to facilitate user access and control of the media playback system <NUM>, by providing a controller interface such as the controller interface <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The controller interface <NUM> includes a playback control region <NUM>, a playback zone region <NUM>, a playback status region <NUM>, a playback queue region <NUM>, and an audio content sources region <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> as shown is just one example of a user interface that may be provided on a network device such as the control device <NUM> of <FIG> (and/or the control devices <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) and accessed by users to control a media playback system such as the media playback system <NUM>. Other user interfaces of varying formats, styles, and interactive sequences may alternatively be implemented on one or more network devices to provide comparable control access to a media playback system.

For example, as shown, a "group" icon may be provided within each of the graphical representations of playback zones. The "group" icon provided within a graphical representation of a particular zone may be selectable to bring up options to select one or more other zones in the media playback system to be grouped with the particular zone. Once grouped, playback devices in the zones that have been grouped with the particular zone will be configured to play audio content in synchrony with the playback device(s) in the particular zone. Analogously, a "group" icon may be provided within a graphical representation of a zone group. In this case, the "group" icon may be selectable to bring up options to deselect one or more zones in the zone group to be removed from the zone group. Other interactions and implementations for grouping and ungrouping zones via a user interface such as the user interface <NUM> are also possible. The representations of playback zones in the playback zone region <NUM> may be dynamically updated as playback zone or zone group configurations are modified.

The playback status region <NUM> may include graphical representations of audio content that is presently being played, previously played, or scheduled to play next in the selected playback zone or zone group. The selected playback zone or zone group may be visually distinguished on the user interface, such as within the playback zone region <NUM> and/or the playback status region <NUM>. The graphical representations may include track title, artist name, album name, album year, track length, and other relevant information that may be useful for the user to know when controlling the media playback system via the user interface <NUM>.

Referring back to the user interface <NUM> of <FIG>, the graphical representations of audio content in the playback queue region <NUM> may include track titles, artist names, track lengths, and other relevant information associated with the audio content in the playback queue. In one example, graphical representations of audio content may be selectable to bring up additional selectable icons to manage and/or manipulate the playback queue and/or audio content represented in the playback queue. For instance, a represented audio content may be removed from the playback queue, moved to a different position within the playback queue, or selected to be played immediately, or after any currently playing audio content, among other possibilities. A playback queue associated with a playback zone or zone group may be stored in a memory on one or more playback devices in the playback zone or zone group, on a playback device that is not in the playback zone or zone group, and/or some other designated device.

As indicated previously, one or more playback devices in a zone or zone group may be configured to retrieve for playback audio content (e.g. according to a corresponding URI or URL for the audio content) from a variety of available audio content sources. In one example, audio content may be retrieved by a playback device directly from a corresponding audio content source (e.g., a line-in connection). In another example, audio content may be provided to a playback device over a network via one or more other playback devices or network devices.

Example audio content sources may include a memory of one or more playback devices in a media playback system such as the media playback system <NUM> of <FIG>, local music libraries on one or more network devices (such as a control device, a network-enabled personal computer, or a networked-attached storage (NAS), for example), streaming audio services providing audio content via the Internet (e.g., the cloud), or audio sources connected to the media playback system via a line-in input connection on a playback device or network devise, among other possibilities.

As mentioned above, examples described herein relate to identification of device groups in a network. As indicated previously, one example of device groups in a network is zone groups of playback devices in a media playback system. <FIG> shows an example flow diagram of a method <NUM> for maintaining group information associated with a playback device in the media playback system, and <FIG> shows an example flow diagram of a method <NUM> for providing group information associated with the playback device in the media playback system.

Both methods <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>, respectively, present embodiments that can be implemented within an operating environment involving, for example, the media playback system <NUM> of <FIG>, one or more of the playback device <NUM> of <FIG>, and one or more of the control device <NUM> of <FIG>. For instance, method <NUM> may be performed by a controller device such as the control device <NUM> of <FIG>, and method <NUM> may be performed by a playback device such as the playback device <NUM> of <FIG>.

Method <NUM> may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks <NUM>-<NUM>, and method <NUM> may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more block <NUM>-<NUM>.

In addition, for the method <NUM>, <NUM> and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and operation of one possible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, each block may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, for example, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. The computer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readable medium, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores data for short periods of time like register memory, processor cache and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computer readable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storage systems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computer readable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device. In addition, for the method <NUM>, <NUM>, and other processes and methods disclosed herein, each block in <FIG> may represent circuitry that is wired to perform the specific logical functions in the process.

As shown in <FIG>, block <NUM> of method <NUM> involves receiving from a playback device, a transmission indicating a group identification associated with a zone group. As indicated above in sections II. , a zone group may include one or more playback devices that are configured to play media content in synchrony. In one example, each zone group in the media playback system may be associated with a respective group identification, and each device in a zone group may be associated with the same group identification. For instance, if playback devices "Device1" and "Device2" are both part of a zone group associated with a group identification of "Group1", both Device1 and Device2 may be associated with the group identification Group1. In one example, the group identification indicated in the transmission received from the playback device may be a group identification associated with the playback device. Accordingly, the playback device may be a part of the zone group that is associated with the group identification.

In one example, each zone group has a group coordinator that coordinates synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices in the zone group. In one case, the playback device from which the transmission was received is a playback device that is capable of being a group coordinator. The playback device is capable of coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices. Coordinating synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices may involve, among other functions, establishing and maintaining communication with each of the one or more playback devices, and managing a clock synchronization mechanism among the one or more playback devices. Coordinating synchronous playback of media content may further involve one or more of receiving, processing, and distributing the media content to the one or more playback devices. In one example, a playback device that is capable of being a group coordinator is a playback device that is configured to, when instructed, to coordinate synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices in a zone group.

In one example, the transmission indicating the group identification may further indicate whether the playback device is the group coordinator for the zone group. In one case, if the playback device is indeed the group coordinator for the zone group, the transmission received from the playback device may also indicate a display name for the zone group. The display name may be a name used to represent the zone group on a controller interface such as that shown in the playback zone region <NUM> of the controller interface <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In one example, the display name may be determined by the group coordinator.

In one example, the controller device may, prior to receiving the transmission from the playback device, send a request for group identification information from playback devices in the media playback system that are capable of being a group coordinator. For instance, the controller device may broadcast the request to any device in the media playback system (or to an extent, any device on a local network). The request may indicate that only playback devices capable of being a group coordinator should respond. As such, a device that is not capable of being a group coordinator may receive the request and ignore the request, while a device that is capable of being a group coordinator may receive the request and responsively send a transmission indicating a group identification of the device. Other examples ere also possible.

In one case, the transmission from the playback device may be sent by the playback device and received by the controller device periodically, absent any request for group identification information from the controller device. In another case, the transmission from the playback device may be sent by the playback device and received by the controller device when a change to group identification information associated with the playback device occurs. The change to group identification information associated with the playback device may include a change in the group identification associated with the playback device, and/or a change in whether the playback device is a group coordinator of the playback zone.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> involves storing in data storage, data indicating that the playback device is in the zone group. In one example, the data storage may be a local data storage of the controller device. In another example, the data storage may be a remote data storage, such as data storage associated with a cloud network. In this case, the controller device may transmit the data to the remote data storage for storage.

In one example, the data may include a table (or database) with an entry corresponding to each playback device in the media playback system that is capable of being a group coordinator. In one case, if the table does not have an entry for the playback device from which the transmission was received, an entry for the playback device may be created in the table, and information indicated in the transmission received from the playback device may be stored in the table in association with the entry for the playback device.

In another case, the table may already include an entry for the playback device. In one instance, if information indicated in the transmission received from the playback device (i.e. group identification, whether the playback device is the group coordinator, and if applicable, the display name of the associated zone group) matches information corresponding to the playback device entry in the table, the controller device may not take any further action to modify to the table and/or store the table as data in the data storage.

In another instance, if the information indicated in the transmission received from the playback device does not match information corresponding to the playback device entry in the table, the controller device may update the table with the information indicated in the transmission, before storing the table as data in the data storage.

In this instance, the controller device may also update the controller interface to display representations of the updated information. For example, if a display name for the zone group changed, the controller interface is adapted to be updated to display a representation of the new display name. The display name for the zone group may change as a result of a change in playback devices and/or group coordinator in the zone group, or an input to change the display name of the zone group, among other possibilities. The input to change the display name may be received from a user accessing the media playback system via the controller interface.

As such, in one example, method <NUM> may allow the controller device to be notified of any changes to group configurations of devices and display names of groups in the media playback system, and update the controller interface to display representations of the updated information with minimal delay. As indicated above, the controller device may receive the transmission discussed in connection to block <NUM>, in response to a request for group identification information sent by the controller device. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller device may receive the transmission from a respective playback device periodically and/or when a change to the group identification information associated with the respective playback device has occurred.

<FIG> shows a series of illustrative group information tables for example zone groups in a media playback system that includes four playback devices, "Device1," "Device2," "Device3," and "Device4. " In one example, each of the four playback devices is capable of being a group coordinator.

As shown in the table of <FIG>, Device1 may have sent to a controller device associated with the media playback system, a transmission indicating (i) a group identification "Group1," (ii) that Device1 is the group coordinator for the zone group associated with the group identification Group1, and (iii) a display name of "Living Room" for the zone group associated with the group identification Group <NUM>.

Likewise, Device2 may have sent to the controller device, a transmission indicating (i) a group identification "Group2," (ii) that Device2 is the group coordinator for the zone group associated with the group identification Group2, and (iii) a display name of "Dining Room" for the zone group associated with the group identification Group2. Device3 may have sent to the controller device, a transmission indicating (i) a group identification "Group3," (ii) that Device3 is the group coordinator for the zone group associated with the group identification Group3, and (iii) a display name of "Balcony" for the zone group associated with the group identification Group3. Device4 may have sent to the controller device, a transmission indicating (i) a group identification "Group4," (ii) that Device4 is the group coordinator for the zone group associated with the group identification Group4, and (iii) a display name of "Master Bedroom" for the zone group associated with the group identification Group4.

While the playback device is in the group configuration represented in the table of <FIG>, Device2 and Device3 may have been added to the zone group associated with the group identification Group1, and for which Device1 is a group coordinator. In one case, Device2 and Device3 may each send to the controller device, a transmission indicating (i) the group identification Group1 and (ii) that the respective device is not the group coordinator. In one case, the respective transmissions sent by Device2 and Device3 may indicate a blank entry for the display name, because neither are the group coordinator. In other words, in some cases, only the group coordinator of a group sends transmissions indicating the display name of the group. In one example, Device2 and Device3 may further send to the controller device, respective transmissions indicating that Device2 and Device3 are no longer part of the zone groups associated with group identifications Group2 and Group3, respectively.

Due to the additions of Device2 and Device3, the display name for the zone group associated with group identification Group1 may also be updated. In one case, Device1 may send to the controller, a transmission indicating (i) the group identification Group1, (ii) that Device1 is the group coordinator, and (iii) that the display name for the zone group associated with the group identification Group1 is now "Living Room + <NUM>. " In one example, the display name may be generated by Device1 based on characteristics of the zone group and the devices in the zone group. In another example, the display name may be provided when the group configuration is modified. For instance, a user modifying the group configuration of the media playback system may also provide a display name for the modified group configuration of the media playback system.

As shown in the table of 6B, the table in <FIG> has been updated in response to the transmissions from Device2, Device3, and Device1. The entry in the table for Device2 now has a group identification of Group1, an indication that the Device2 is not the group coordinator, and no information for the display name. Similarly, the entry in the table for Device3 also now has a group identification of Group1, an indication that the Device3 is not the group coordinator, and no information for the display name. The entry for Device1 continues to have a group identification of Group1, and an indication that the Device1 is the group coordinator, but a new display name of "Living Room + <NUM>.

While the playback device is in the group configuration represented in the table of <FIG>, Device3 may have been removed from the zone group associated with the group identification Group1, and for which Device1 is the group coordinator. Device3 may have been removed from the zone group associated with the group identification Group1 because Device3 was added to a new group. Device3 may then send to the controller device, a transmission indicating (i) a group identification "Group5," (ii) that Device3 is the group coordinator, and (iii) that a display name for the zone group associated with the group identification Group5 is now "Balcony".

While Device3 may have effectively returned to a group having the same display name and configuration as the zone group that was associated with the group identification Group3 shown in the table of <FIG>, group identification Group3 may no longer exist after Device3 left the zone group. As such, the new group identification of Group5 may be used as the group identification for the new zone group having the display name "Balcony.

Other examples of group identification generation and potential preservation of group identifications over the course of group configuration changes are also possible. In one example, Device3 may also send to the controller device, a transmission indicating that Device3 is no longer part of the zone group associated with the group identification Group <NUM>.

Due to the removal of Device3, the display name for the zone group associated with group identification Group1 may also be updated. In one case, Device1 may send to the controller, a transmission indicating (i) the group identification Group1, (ii) that Device1 is the group coordinator, and (iii) that the display name for the zone group associated with the group identification Group <NUM> is now "Living Room + Dining Room.

As shown in the table of 6C, the table in <FIG> has been updated in response to the transmissions from Device3 and Device1. The entry in the table for Device3 now has a group identification of Group5, an indication that the Device3 is the group coordinator, and a display name of "Balcony. " The entry for Device1 continues to have a group identification of Group1, and an indication that the Device1 is the group coordinator, but a new display name of "Living Room + Dining Room.

In another example, while the playback device is in the group configuration represented in the table of <FIG>, Device1 may have been removed from the zone group associated with the group identification Group1, and for which Device1 is actually the group coordinator. Device1 may have been removed from the group associated with the group identification Group1 because Device1 was added to a new group. Device1 may then send to the controller device, a transmission indicating (i) a group identification Group5, (ii) that Device1 is the group coordinator, and (iii) a display name of "Living Room" for the zone group associated with the group identification Group5.

While Device1 may have effectively returned to a group having the same display name and configuration as the zone group that was associated with group identification Group1 shown in the table of <FIG>, Group1 remains as the group identification associated with the zone group including Device2 and Device3. As such, a new group identification Group5 may be used as the group identification for the new "Living Room" group.

Because Device1 was the group coordinator for the group associated with the group identification Group1, a new group coordinator may be determined for the zone group associated with the group identification Group1. In one example, Device1 may be configured to select a device to become the group coordinator, and send a message to the selected device to indicate that the selected device is to become the group coordinator. In another example, a device may be selected as the group coordinator based on a computing power of the device. In either example, the device may or may not already be a device in the zone group. In a further example, a device in the group may be selected as the group coordinator based on a duration of time the device has been in the group. In this example, Device3 was selected as the new group coordinator for the zone group associated with group identification Group1. Device3 may have been selected because Device3 is already in the zone group, and may have more computing power and/or has been in the zone group longer than Device2, among other possibilities.

Due to the removal of Device1, the display name for the zone group associated with the group identification Group1 may also be updated. In one case, Device3, now the group coordinator, may send to the controller, a transmission indicating (i) the group identification Group1, (ii) that Device3 is the group coordinator, and (iii) that the display name for the zone group associated with the group identification Group1 is now "Dining Room + Balcony. " The new display name of the one group associated with the group identification Group1 has been determined by the new group coordinator Device3.

As shown in the table of 6D, the table in <FIG> has been updated in response to the transmissions from Device1 and Device3. The entry in the table for Device1 now has a group identification of Group5, an indication that the Device1 is the group coordinator, and a display name of "Living Room. " The entry for Device3 continues to have a group identification of Group1, but now has an indication that the Device3 is the group coordinator, and a new display name of "Dining Room + Balcony.

In one example, the transmissions in the examples above may have been sent by the playback devices Device1, Device2, Device3, and/or Device4 in response to a request for group identification information sent by the controller device. In another example, the transmissions may have been sent in response to the changes in group identification information associated with the playback devices. In a further example, some of the transmissions may have been sent in response to a request for group identification information sent by the controller device, while some other transmissions may have been sent in response to the changes in group identification information associated with the playback devices.

One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the sequence of group configuration changes described above in connection to <FIG> are only a few illustrative examples of the concepts discussed herein.

As shown in <FIG>, block <NUM> of method <NUM> involves a playback device receiving from a controller device, a request for group identification information from playback devices capable of being a group coordinator. In one example, the request for group identification information received by the playback device may be similar to the request for group identification sent by the controller device discussed above in section III. As such, discussions above relating to the request for group identification information may also be applicable to block <NUM>.

Block <NUM> of method <NUM> involves determining a group identification associated with a zone group in a media playback system. In one example, when the playback device joins an existing zone group, the playback device may receive from the controller device, and/or one or more of the other devices in the zone group, a message indicating the group identification associated with the zone group. In another example, if the playback device joins a new zone group as the group coordinator, the playback device may determine the group identification based on some group identification generating protocol. In the examples discussed above in connection to <FIG>, group identifications may include a numerical portion, and new group identifications may be based on incrementing the numerical portion of the group identification.

In another example, the group identification may be received from another device associated with the media playback system, such as a local or remote server, a playback device, or a controller device configured to generate group identifications. The device configured to generate group identifications may generate group identifications according to the incrementing numeral protocol and/or any other viable method. In the case the group identification is received from another device, the group coordinator may, upon becoming the group coordinator of the new zone group, send to the other device, a request for a new group identification, and the other device may responsively provide the new group identification.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> involves sending to the controller device, a transmission indicating the group identification. In one example, the transmission indicating the group identification that is sent from the playback device to the controller device may be similar to the transmission received by the controller device at block <NUM> of the method <NUM>. As such, discussions above relating to the receiving of the transmission by the controller device may also be applicable to block <NUM>. For instance, the transmission may further indicate that the playback device is the group coordinator of the zone group, and/or a display name of the zone group.

While the method <NUM> as shown in <FIG> involves receiving a request for group identification information at block <NUM>, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, similar to the discussions in section III. , the determination of the group identification at block <NUM> and the sending of the transmission at block <NUM> may be performed whether or not a request for group identification information is received. For instance, as discussed above, the group identification may be determined and the transmission may be sent by the playback device if and when any change to a zone group configuration of the playback device has occurred.

In one example, communication between controller devices and playback devices described above may be facilitated by a Universal Plug and Playback (UPnP) protocol. In one case, the transmission received by the controller device at block <NUM> of <FIG> and sent by the playback device at block <NUM> of <FIG> may include a NOTIFY method of the UPnP protocol. Other interactions, such as if and when a playback device sends the controller device a transmission indicating that the playback device is no longer part of a zone group, may also be facilitated by the NOTIFY method. In one instance, the request for group identification information, sent by the controller device and received by the playback device at block <NUM> of <FIG>, may include an M-SEARCH method of the UPnP protocol. Other examples, including those relating to protocols other than the UPnP protocol, are also possible.

One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that while the above examples generally refer to a media playback system having one or more playback devices in one or more zone groups, the concepts discussed herein may be relevant to other applications as well. For instance, similar device group identification and device group maintenance methods may be implemented for home security systems and/or home appliance control systems.

Additionally, references herein to "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of an invention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined with other embodiments.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), by a controller device from a first playback device that is a group coordinator configured for coordinating synchronous playback of media content by a particular zone group of a media playback system, a first transmission indicating:
a group identification corresponding to the particular zone group in the media playback system, the particular zone group including the first playback device and at least one additional playback device;
that the first playback device is the group coordinator of the particular zone group, wherein the group coordinator of a zone group is configured to, when instructed by a controller device, coordinate synchronous playback of media content by one or more playback devices of the zone group; and
a first display name for the particular zone group;
storing (<NUM>), by the controller device, data indicating that the first playback device is the group coordinator of the particular zone group and associating the group identification, the first playback device, and the first display name;
causing, by the controller device, a controller interface to display a representation of the first display name of the particular zone group according to the group identification, wherein the representation indicates the first playback device is part of the particular zone group;
associating a playback queue with the particular zone group;
after receiving the first transmission, receiving, by the controller device, a second transmission from a second playback device the second transmission indicating:
the group identification;
that the second playback device is the group coordinator of the particular zone group; and
an updated first display name of the particular zone group;
modifying, by the controller device, the data to indicate that the second playback device is the group coordinator of the particular zone group and to associate the group identification, the updated first display name and the second playback device;
updating the controller interface to display a representation of the updated first display name.