Patent Description:
The following non-patent publications may be useful when reading the present disclosure: the BLUETOOTH® Core Specification <NUM> and Core Specification Supplement (CSS) v4; the IEEE standard <NUM> ™-<NUM> Part <NUM>: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification; and the GSMA™ TS. <NUM> NFC Handset Requirements.

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 many 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> discusses a playback system in which a position of a listener is triangulated based on location data. The location data is received by the playback device and can include a control packet transmitted by a remote. An audio processing component then generates a sound field with audio characteristics based on the location of the user.

<CIT> relates to location-based sharing of multimedia control resources. A programmable multimedia controller is shared among a plurality of devices based upon a physical location of an active wireless endpoint within a structure.

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.

Embodiments described herein may involve, inter alia, determining that a device of a media playback system is within a particular zone of the media playback system and responsively configuring some aspect of the media playback system based on the particular zone that the device is within. An example media playback system may include one or more zones, each zone having one or more playback devices. In some example implementations, playback devices of respective zones may be physically located in respective locations, such as in the different rooms of a house. For example, a media playback system may include a living room zone, a dining room zone, a kitchen zone, an office zone, and/or a bedroom zone, in which playback devices of the different zones are located in the living room, dining room, kitchen, office, and/or bedroom, respectively.

In one arrangement, a device communicatively coupled to the media playback system may have a graphical interface (e.g., a touchscreen display of a tablet, smartphone, or wearable device). Such a graphical interface may display contextual information about a particular zone, such as the name of the zone and/or media content presenting playing on the playback device(s) of the zone. The graphical interface may also display playback controls (e.g., transport controls such as play, pause, or skip track) for controlling media content playback in the zone. The graphical display may display other information as well.

In an example media playback system that includes multiple zones, the graphical interface may transition among the multiple zones, perhaps displaying respective information about each zone at different times. Typically, at any point in time, one of the multiple zones might be more relevant to a user of the media playback system than another zone (i.e., the zone currently in physical proximity to the user). One approach to switching among the multiple zones may involve detecting input that selects a particular one of the multiple zones. For instance, a user may move from a first area in which a first zone is located (e.g., a kitchen zone) into a second area in which a second zone is located (e.g., a living room zone) and then select the second zone on the device. The device may detect such input and responsively display contextual information about the second zone on the graphical interface.

The device and the one or more playback devices of the media playback system may include one or more respective radio interfaces, by which the device may communicate to the playback devices. Such radio interfaces may include one or more of an <NUM> interface (WI-FI®), a BLUETOOTH® interface, or a Near-Field Communications interface, among other examples. The devices may include other types of radio interfaces and protocols as well, including those now known or later developed.

In some implementations, communication between the device and the one or more playback devices of the media playback system may be used to determine that the device is within a given proximity to a particular zone of the media playback system. For instance, some radio interfaces are configured to transmit with relatively low power, and accordingly operate with a relatively short range compared to some other communication interfaces and protocols. Transmitting between the device and a playback device via such a relatively short-range interface may indicate that the device and playback device are within a given proximity. While the transmission range of a given radio interface may vary based on environmental conditions and other factors, successful transmissions may be used to approximate the relative positioning of the device and the playback device, such that the device may be considered to be within a zone that includes the playback device.

Based on a determination that the device is within a given proximity to a particular zone (or perhaps to a playback device of the zone), the device may cause a graphical interface display one or more characteristics of the particular zone. For instance, the graphical interface may display an identifier of the zone (e.g., "Living Room Zone", or perhaps any other identifier assigned to the zone). The graphical interface may display an indication of media content playing in the zone (e.g., one or more of a title, an artist, or an album of a song currently playing on the one or more playback devices of the zone). In some cases, based on the determination that the device is within a given proximity to a particular zone of the media playback system, the graphical interface may transition from displaying characteristics of a first zone to displaying characteristics of the particular zone.

Responsive to the determination that the device is within a given proximity to a particular zone of the media playback system, media playback in the particular zone is modified. For instance, the device may initiate playback in the particular zone. Alternatively, the device may modify playback in the particular zone (e.g., switch the media playback system to a new playlist, song, or media source). Further, in some implementations, media playback in another zone may be modified. For example, media playback in a zone in which the device was previously within a given proximity of, but is no longer within the given proximity of, may be stopped. Other examples are possible as well.

As indicated above, the present application may involve determining that a device of a media playback system is within a particular zone of the media playback system and responsively configuring the media playback system based on the particular zone that the device is within.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that this disclosure includes numerous other embodiments. 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 description is for purposes of explanation only. The claims should not be interpreted to require action by any such example actor unless explicitly required by the language of the claims themselves.

<FIG> illustrates 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 multi-channel 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. Other embodiments are also possible.

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> may 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> may 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>. The wireless interface(s) <NUM> may include one or more radio interfaces which 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>, wireless standards including IEEE <NUM>. 11a, <NUM>. 11b, <NUM>, <NUM>. 11n, <NUM>. 11ac, <NUM>, <NUM> mobile communication standard, BLUETOOTH®, Near-Field Communications (NFC) and so on). In some cases, wireless interface <NUM> may operate as a wireless access point by allowing wireless devices (e.g., other playback devices) to connect to a network).

Also as shown, the network interface <NUM> may include wired interface(s) <NUM>. 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 radio 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 radio interface <NUM> may include one or more communications interfaces. The communications interfaces may be based on respective industry standards (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, BLUETOOTH®, Near-Field Communications (NFC) and so on). The radio 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.

Various references are made herein to "cloud computing" and "cloud" computing system. The term "cloud computing" is used to refer to services delivered using distributed computing over a network, such as the Internet. A non-exhaustive list of services delivered via the cloud include electronic mail (e.g., GMAIL® or HOTMAIL®), social networking (e.g., FACEBOOK®, LINKEDIN®, or TWITTER®), file hosting (e.g., DROPBOX®), and streaming audio (e.g., SPOTIFY®, PANDORA®, or BEATSAUDIO®). Other cloud services are certainly offered as well.

Cloud service providers may offer one or more interfaces for accessing their service over a network. For instance, some cloud services may be accessed by visiting a web site using a web browser. Other cloud services are accessed by executing a particular application specific to the cloud service on a computing device. Some cloud services may offer an application programming interface (API) to facilitate access to the service by a third-party web site or application. In many cases, a user who has access to a given cloud service can access the service from any computing device that is connected to the network, provided that the computing device has a supported interface to the cloud service.

In one instance, accessing a cloud service may involve accessing, with a first computing device (i.e., a client), a "cloud" computing system (i.e., a server). Example client devices may include playback device <NUM> of <FIG>, or control device <NUM> of <FIG>, among other possible devices. One or more programs or applications (i.e., instructions) may execute on the server to perform computing tasks supported by the cloud service. The client may send various commands to the server to instruct the server to perform the computing tasks supported by the cloud service. The "cloud" computing system may include at least one processor, memory, and a network interface. The memory may contain instructions executable by the processor to perform computing tasks supported by a cloud service.

In aggregate, the provision of a cloud service many involve multiple instances of the "cloud" computing device. Each instance of the "cloud" computing system may provide the cloud service to one or more users. Cloud service providers may scale the number of instances of the "cloud" computing system involved in providing the cloud service based on user demand.

As discussed above, embodiments described herein involve recognizing that a device of a media playback system is within a particular zone of the media playback system and responsively configuring some aspect of the media playback system based on the particular zone that the device is within.

Methods <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> present embodiments of methods 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>. Methods <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks <NUM>-<NUM> and blocks <NUM>-<NUM>. Although the blocks are illustrated in sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

In addition, for the methods <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 methods <NUM>, <NUM>, and other processes and methods disclosed herein, each block in <FIG> and <FIG> may represent circuitry that is wired to perform the specific logical functions in the process.

At block <NUM>, the method may involve receiving a radio transmission indicating a particular playback device of a media playback system. For instance, a device, such as an instance of control device <NUM> of <FIG>, may receive a radio transmission via a radio interface, such as radio interface <NUM>, which may operate according to a protocol such as WI-FI®, BLUETOOTH®, or NFC, among other examples. In some cases, a playback device (e.g., the particular playback device) may transmit the radio transmission to the control device. Alternatively, the playback device may send the radio transmission to an intermediate device (e.g., a wearable device such as a smartwatch), which may relay the radio transmission to the control device. In other instances, the transmissions might not be directed to any particular device. For example, the transmissions may be broadcasted, perhaps on a public or known channel.

The radio transmission may indicate the particular playback device of the media playback system in a variety of ways. In some examples, the radio transmission may indicate the particular playback device using an identifier that at least distinguishes the particular playback device from other playback devices of the media playback system. For instance, the identifier may be a media access control (MAC) address assigned to a network interface of the particular playback device. Alternatively, the identifier may be name of the device, perhaps assigned by a control device (e.g., control device <NUM> of <FIG>). In other examples, the radio transmission may indicate the particular playback device by reference to a zone that includes the particular playback device (e.g., by reference to a name or other identifier of the zone). Or the identifier may identify a bonded pair that that includes the playback device. Many examples are possible.

In some cases, the device may receive the radio transmission over a radio interface that operates according to a wireless protocol having a known (e.g., rated) transmission strength (power). The transmission range of the wireless protocol may be related to the transmission strength, as the receive strength of the radio transmission may be inversely related to the distance between the transmitting and receiving devices. In some implementations, a protocol operating according to relatively limited transmission strength may be chosen such that the transmission range of the radio interface may be limited to within a given proximity. For instance, certain variants of BLUETOOTH® have a range of less than <NUM> meters. As another example, some types of NFC interfaces have similar transmission ranges. Further, walls and other obstructions may cause attenuation that may limit the effective indoor range of such protocols to line-of-sight communication within a room.

In some cases, the radio transmission may be part of the protocol by which the radio interface operates. For instance, the BLUETOOTH® protocol includes a pairing procedure that involves using radio transmissions to establish a relationship between two BLUETOOTH®-enabled devices. During pairing, the devices may share information such as the name of the device and/or the address of the device. Alternatively, the radio transmission may be part of a handshaking operation. For instance, NFC includes various handshaking procedures to exchange information between NFC-enabled devices. As another example, the radio transmission may be part of a "discovery" procedure, in which radio transmissions are broadcasted to "discover" other devices within wireless range of the broadcasting device.

<FIG> shows the example media playback system <NUM> of <FIG>. In some instances, control devices of media playback system <NUM> may move throughout the rooms shown in <FIG>, perhaps carried by a user. For example, <FIG> may illustrate example media playback system <NUM> of <FIG> after the control device <NUM> has moved from the "Living Room" to the "Master Bedroom. " As noted above, control device <NUM> may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a wearable device. Such devices may be carried with users as they move about the household. In the Master Bedroom, control device <NUM> may receive a radio transmission from playback device <NUM> (and/or playback device <NUM>) indicating the playback device of media playback system <NUM>, which may ultimately facilitate determining that control device <NUM> is within the "Master Bedroom" zone that includes playback devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

As noted above, the physical location of the receiving device may change, perhaps as carried by a user (e.g., from the "Living Room" to the "Master Bedroom"). In some cases, the transmitting device (e.g., the particular playback device) may repeatedly transmit a radio transmission, such that the receiving device may receive one or more instances of the radio transmission after being re-located to within proximity of the transmitting device. The transmitting device may send the radio transmission periodically or perhaps in response to an event (e.g., in response to a prior transmission from the control device), among other alternatives.

At block <NUM>, the method may involve determining that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system (that includes the particular playback device). For instance, referring back to <FIG>, control device <NUM> may determine that control device <NUM> is within a given proximity to the "Master Bedroom" zone of media playback system <NUM> based on a received radio transmission from playback device <NUM> or playback device <NUM>.

Alternatively, control device <NUM> may send an indication of the received radio transmission to a second device, such as a playback device or a "cloud" computing system. The second device may determine that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system, and send to the device a message indicating that the device is within the given proximity to the zone of the media playback system.

Determining that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system may involve determining that the device is within a given proximity to the particular playback device. In some implementations, receiving the radio transmission may in and of itself indicate to the device that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system. For instance, the act of receiving a radio transmission over a BLUETOOTH® or NFC protocol (e.g., a message that is part of a pairing or handshaking procedure) may approximate the distance between the particular playback device and the receiving device to within a given proximity.

Alternatively, some implementations may involve detecting the receive strength of the received radio transmission. In such cases, determining that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system may involve determining that a receive strength of a received radio transmission is greater than a pre-determined threshold strength. The threshold strength may be configured to a threshold that indicates that the device is within a certain unobstructed distance from the playback device (e.g., <NUM> meters). Such a pre-determined threshold strength may be a pre-determined percentage of the known transmission strength.

In some cases, the device may receive respective radio transmissions from two or more playback devices. In such a circumstance, the device may be within a given proximity to two or more zones. Alternatively, the two or more devices may belong to the same zone. In some cases, the device may determine which playback device is closer to the device, and then consider itself to be within proximity to the closer playback device. For instance, each received radio transmission may have a respective signal strength. The device may then determine which signal strength is the strongest among the signal strengths of the received radio transmissions (e.g., that the received radio transmission from the particular playback device has the strongest signal strength). Based on such a determination, the device may then determine that the particular playback device is nearest to the device.

Determining that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system may involve determining that the particular playback device belongs to a particular zone. As noted above, the received radio transmission may indicate the particular playback device (e.g., by way of an identifier assigned to the particular playback device). The device may look up the zone in which the particular playback device is assigned by reference to the indication.

For example, the received radio transmission may indicate the MAC address of the playback device. The device may maintain or have access to a state table or other data structure that correlates MAC addresses to playback zones. The device may then look-up the zone of the playback device by reference to the MAC address. In some cases, the state table may be maintained by the device itself, perhaps in a memory such as memory <NUM> of control device <NUM> in <FIG>. In other cases, the state table may be maintained by a computing system that is communicatively coupled to the device (e.g., a computing system is networked to the device by way of a local-area or wide-area network, such as the Internet).

Alternatively, the state table may be maintained by one or more of the playback devices of the zone. In some examples, the playback devices may send the state table to one another, such that multiple playback devices have copies of the state table. For instance, a first playback device may update a state table to indicate that a particular device is within a given proximity to the first playback device. The first playback device may send the updated state table to a second playback device, which may notify the second playback device that the particular device is in proximity to the first playback device.

At block <NUM>, the method may involve causing the graphical interface to display an indication of (i) an identifier of the zone and (ii) a characteristic of the zone. Such information may convey the status or context of the zone. For instance, control device <NUM> of <FIG> may cause a graphical display to display an identifier of the "Master Bedroom" zone. The identifier of the zone may be a name that distinguishes the zone from other zones (e.g., "Living Room" zone). The characteristic of the zone may be an indication of a given media item that is being played back by the particular playback device (and perhaps also by one or more other playback devices of the zone in synchrony with the particular playback device). Alternatively, the characteristic of the zone may be an indication of at least one media item queued for playback by the zone (e.g., a song title, an album, an artist, and the like).

<FIG> shows an example graphical interface 700A that includes a playback zone region 702A, a playback status region 704A, and a playback control region 706A. Graphical interface 700A may represent an instance of a graphical interface of control device <NUM> in the configuration of media playback system <NUM> shown in <FIG> in which control device <NUM> is in the Living Room. The playback zone region 702A includes an indication of the "Living Room" zone, as shown, as well as an indication of the manufacturer of the media playback system ("SONOS®"). The playback status region 704A includes multiple characteristics of the "Living Room" zone, including characteristics of media currently playing or queued in the zone. The characteristics include Album Art A, Song Name A, Artist Name A, and Media Source A, which may represent a first instance of the example audio content noted above. The playback control region 706A includes transport controls for the "Living Room" zone. Such controls may initiate, stop, or modify media playback by playback devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (i.e., the playback devices in the "Living Room" zone).

In some cases, some operations related to control of the media playback system may be performed by a controller application that is executing on a device. Such operations may include display of a graphical interface having controls (e.g., example graphical interface 700A), detection of input (e.g., detection of input in playback control region 706A), and translation of the detected input into commands to the media playback system. Based on launch (i.e., execution) of such an application, the device may determine whether it is near a playback device. For instance, the device may detect and receive a radio transmission from a playback device (e.g., playback device <NUM> of <FIG>), determine that it is within a given proximity to the zone of the playback device (i.e., the "Living Room" zone), and then, based on the determination, cause a graphical interface to display an indication of (i) an identifier of the zone and (ii) a characteristic of the zone, as illustrated by graphical interface 700A of <FIG>. Alternatively, a playback device may detect and receive a radio transmission from a control device, determine that the control device is within a given proximity to the zone of the playback device, and then, based on the determination, cause a graphical interface to display an indications. Further, as noted above, in some implementations, another device, such as a wearable device, may be an intermediary between the device executing the controller application and the playback device.

In some cases, the device may cause the graphical interface to display an indication of (i) an identifier of the zone group, and (ii) a characteristic of the zone group in response to a condition or state of the controller application. For instance, the device may detect input to a user interface that causes the graphical interface to update or refresh, and based on such detect input, cause the graphical interface to display the indications. Alternatively, the device may detect launch (i.e., execution) of such an application, based on that operation(s), cause the graphical interface to display the indications.

<FIG> shows an example graphical interface 700B that includes a playback zone region 702B, a playback status region 704B, and a playback control region 706B. Graphical interface 700B may represent an instance of a graphical interface of control device <NUM> in the configuration of media playback system <NUM> shown in <FIG> in which control device <NUM> is in the Master Bedroom. The device may cause display of such an interface based on determining that the device is in a given proximity to the "Master Bedroom" zone. In some cases, the device may update graphical interface 700A to graphical interface 700B. The playback zone region 702B includes an indication of the "Master Bedroom" zone, as shown. The playback status region 704B includes multiple characteristics of the "Master Bedroom" zone, including characteristics of media currently playing or queued in the zone. The characteristics include Album Art B, Song Name B, Artist Name B, and Media Source B, which may represent a second instance of the example audio content noted above. The playback control region 706B includes transport controls for the "Living Room" zone. Such controls may initiate, stop, or modify media playback by playback devices <NUM> and <NUM> (i.e., the playback devices in the "Master Bedroom" zone).

In some cases, the particular playback device may belong to a zone that is a member of a zone group. Zone groups may include two or more zones that are configured to play media in synchrony. <FIG> shows the example media playback system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> in a configuration in which the "Living Room" and "Kitchen" zones are joined into a zone group. Further, control device <NUM> is now located near the Living Room and Kitchen, as shown. Control device <NUM> may determine that it is within a given proximity to the Living Room zone (i.e., that it is within the Living Room zone). Control device <NUM> (or perhaps another device of the media playback system <NUM>) may determine that the "Living Room" zone is in a zone group that includes at least the "Living Room" zone and the "Kitchen" zone.

Based on that determination, the device may cause the graphical interface to display an indication of (i) an identifier of the zone group, and (ii) a characteristic of the zone group. <FIG> shows an example graphical interface 700C that includes a playback zone region 702C, a playback status region 704C, and a playback control region 706C. Graphical interface 700C may represent an instance of a graphical interface of control device <NUM> in the configuration of media playback system <NUM> shown in <FIG> in which control device <NUM> is in the Master Bedroom. The device may cause display of such an interface based on determining that the device is in a given proximity to the "Living Room" zone or "Kitchen" zone and further that the "Living Room" and "Kitchen" zones are grouped into a zone group. The playback zone region 702C includes an indication of the "Living Room + Kitchen" zone group, as shown. The playback status region 704C includes multiple characteristics of the "Living Room + Kitchen" zone group, including characteristics of media currently playing by the zone group or queued for playback by the zone group. The characteristics include Album Art C, Song Name C, Artist Name C, and Media Source C, which may represent a third instance of the example audio content noted above. The playback control region 706C includes transport controls for the "Living Room + Kitchen" zone group. Such controls may initiate, stop, or modify media playback by playback devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> (i.e., the playback devices in the "Living Room + Kitchen" zone group).

In some cases, before configuring the media playback system based on proximity of a device to a zone of the media playback system, the media playback system may determine that the device is currently in motion (or has been recently moved). Such a determination may be based on the respective signal strengths of received radio transmissions, as changing signal strengths may indicate that a device is moving through an environment. Alternatively, the determination may be based on data from a sensor of the device, such as an accelerometer, which indicates that the device is moving through an environment.

At block <NUM>, the method may involve receiving a radio transmission indicating a particular playback device of a media playback system. For instance, a device, such as an instance of control device <NUM> of <FIG>, may receive a radio transmission via a radio interface, such as radio interface <NUM>. This operation may include aspects of block <NUM>, as discussed above.

At block <NUM>, the method may involve determining that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system (that includes the particular playback device). For instance, referring back to <FIG>, control device <NUM> may determine that control device <NUM> is within a given proximity to the "Master Bedroom" zone of media playback system <NUM> based on a received radio transmission from playback device <NUM> or playback device <NUM>. This operation may include aspects of block <NUM>, as discussed above.

At block <NUM>, the method may involve causing the particular playback device to modify media playback. For instance, control device <NUM> may initiate playback of a media item on playback devices <NUM> or <NUM>, which are in the "Master Bedroom" zone. This operation may be based on the determination that the device is within the zone of the media playback system (e.g., that control device <NUM> is within the "Living Room" zone).

In some cases, control device <NUM> may initiate playback of a playback queue that includes one or more media items. The "Living Room" zone may then play back the one or more media items in the playback queue, perhaps in round-robin or random order, among other examples. Such a playback queue may be maintained by the media playback system, such as on a playback device. Alternatively, the playback queue may be maintained on a device that is connected via a network to the media playback system (e.g., a "cloud" computing system).

In some examples, the device may modify media playback according to at least one preference associated with the device. In such an implementation, media playback in a zone may be modified according to the at least one preference based on determining that the device is within a given proximity to the zone. The at least one preference may include, for example, media type, volume, or equalization. For instance, the device may be configured to adjust the volume of media playback by the zone to a particular level.

As another example, the device may be configured to adjust the media playback to a particular type of media, such as a particular genre, a particular playlist or set of playlists, or a particular audio content source. Further, the device may be configured to a particular equalization setting, such as a "rock", "pop", or "classical" equalization setting, or perhaps a custom equalization setting. The device may receive such preferences from a memory of the device, or from a computing system that is communicatively coupled to the device (e.g., a "cloud" computing system).

In some examples, the device may be registered to a given user profile, which may also be referred to as a user account. A user profile may include data related to a particular user, which the user has opted to provide for the user profile. Such information may include an identifier of a user (e.g., the user's name or email address) and perhaps also certain preferences or settings. As such, a particular user's profile may be a data-based representation of that particular user. User profiles may be used for various applications, web sites, and/or online services, for instance. Examples of user profiles include e-mail accounts, social network accounts, and accounts with service providers (e.g., SPOTIFY® or PANDORA®, among other examples. In some implementations, one or more user profiles may be associated with a media playback system, such that preferences (i.e., data) of the user profile may be used to configure the media playback system. Further, a user profile may be registered with a device itself. In such a configuration, based on determining that a device is within a given proximity to a zone, the device may determine that the device is registered to a given user profile, and then modify media playback in the zone according to one or more preferences associated with the given user profile.

As noted above, a device moves from a first zone to a second zone. The control device <NUM> initiates media playback in the "Living Room" and subsequently moves from the "Living Room" zone (as shown in <FIG>) to the "Master Bedroom" zone (as shown in <FIG>). Then, based on determining that control device <NUM> is in the "Master Bedroom" zone (e.g., that control device <NUM> is within a given proximity to playback device <NUM> and/or <NUM>), the device modifies playback in the "Master Bedroom" zone. The device initiates media playback in the "Master Bedroom" zone.

Further, based on determining that control device <NUM> is in the "Master Bedroom" zone (e.g., that control device <NUM> is within a given proximity to playback device <NUM> and/or <NUM>), the device may modify playback in the "Living Room" zone (i.e., the zone that control device <NUM> left). For example, the device may cease media playback in the "Living Room" zone. Alternatively, the device may decrease the volume of playback devices <NUM> and <NUM> in the "Living Room" zone.

According to the claimed invention, movement of a device from a first zone to a second zone causes the first zone and the second zone to group into a zone group. For instance, control device <NUM> may initiate media playback in the "Living Room" and subsequently move from the "Living Room" zone (as shown in <FIG>) to the "Kitchen" zone (as shown in <FIG>). The media playback system <NUM> may cause the "Living Room" zone and the "Kitchen" zone to form a zone group. After grouping, the "Living Room" zone and the "Kitchen" zone play back a media item in synchrony. The media item is the media that was playing in the "Living Room" zone before grouping into the zone group (e.g., a playback queue of the zone). In some cases, the zones may un-group based on the device leaving one or more of the zones.

As discussed above, in some cases a device may move from a first zone to a second zone. After moving to the second zone, the device may receive a radio transmission from a playback device of the second zone, and based on that received radio transmission, determine that the device is within the second zone. In some implementations, the device may further determine that the device is outside of a given proximity to the first zone. For instance, the device may attempt to detect a radio transmission from a playback device of the first zone, and based on failing detect a radio transmission within a pre-determined period of time, determine that the device is outside of a given proximity to the first zone.

In some cases, moving the device from the first zone to a second zone may cause a playback queue of the second zone to be updated based on the first zone. For instance, the media playback system may replace the playback queue of the second zone with the playback queue of the first zone. Alternatively, the media playback system may queue media items from playback queue of the first zone into the playback queue of the second zone.

In some cases, two or more devices may be within a given proximity to a playback device of a zone. <FIG> shows the example media playback system <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> in an alternate configuration in which control devices <NUM> and <NUM> are both in the "Living Room" zone. In such a configuration, media playback system <NUM> may determine that both control devices <NUM> and <NUM> are within a given proximity to the zone (or perhaps the playback devices of the zone). For instance, control device <NUM> may determine that it is within a given proximity to playback device <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>. Control device <NUM> may similarly determine that it is within a given proximity to playback device <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>. Based on that determination, control device <NUM> may send an indication that control device <NUM> is within the given proximity to the "Living Room" zone. Control device <NUM> may receive such an indication, and detect that control devices <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively within the "Living Room" zone.

The presence of two or more devices within a given proximity to a playback device of a zone may affect (or perhaps not affect) media playback in the zone. For instance, media playback in the zone may be modified based on at least one respective preference associated with each device. For instance, control device <NUM> may be associated with a preference for jazz or classical music, while control device <NUM> may be associated with a preference for classical or pop music. In such a circumstance, the media playback system <NUM> may determine that the devices have a preferred genre in common (i.e., classical music) and responsively play back classical music in the "Living Room" zone.

As another example, control device <NUM> may enter proximity of the "Living Room" zone, but, based on a pre-existing proximity of control device <NUM> to the "Living Room" zone, media playback in the "Living Room" zone may be unaffected by control device <NUM>. For instance, media playback system <NUM> may receive a request from control device <NUM> to modify the media playback in the "Living Room" zone. Based on the received request modify the media playback, media playback system <NUM> detect that control device <NUM> within the given proximity to the zone of the media playback system, and deny the request.

Such operations as noted above may facilitate a joint listening experience. For example, control devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be registered to a first user profile and a second user profile, respectively (perhaps representing a first user and a second user). The second user (having on or near his person control device <NUM>) may join the first user (having on or near his person control device <NUM>) in a zone (e.g., the "Living Room" zone). The media playback system <NUM> may determine that control devices <NUM> and <NUM> (which are determined to be within the "Living Room" zone) are registered to the first user profile and a second user profile, respectively. The media playback system may then request respective preferences of each user profile. After receiving the respective preferences, the media playback system <NUM> may initiate or modify media playback in the "Living Room" zone based on the preferences.

In some cases, the respective preferences may be maintained on one or more "cloud" computing systems, which may facilitate joint listening experiences between users using respective media playback systems and devices. For instance, the first user may create a user profile registered to a first instance of media playback system <NUM>. As noted above, the user profile may indicate various preferences. Such preferences may include a listening history of the first user on the first instance of media playback system <NUM>. The listening history may indicate one or more media items that the first instance of media playback system <NUM> played back while the first user profile was "logged-in" or "active" and perhaps a number of instances on which the each media item was played. The second user may create a similar user profile registered to a second instance of media playback system <NUM>. These user profiles may be maintained on one or more "cloud" computing systems.

The first user may then visit the second user, perhaps bringing the first device with him (which is registered with the first user profile). The second instance of media playback system <NUM> may detect that both the first device (registered to the first user) and the second device (registered to the first user) are within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system. The second instance may also determine that the first device and the second device are registered to respective user accounts. Then, based on determining that the first device and the second device are registered to respective user accounts, request, over a network interface, respective preferences associated with the first user profile and the second user profile. As the user accounts are maintained on one or more "cloud" computing systems, both user profiles and the associated preferences may be accessible to the media playback system. After requesting the respective preferences, the media playback system may receive, over the network interface, the requested respective preferences and modify media playback based on the received preferences.

As indicated above, the present application may involve determining that a device of a media playback system is within a particular zone of the media playback system and responsively configuring the media playback system based on the particular zone that the device is within. In one aspect, a method is provided. The method may involve receiving, via the radio interface, a radio transmission indicating a particular playback device of a media playback system. Based on the received radio transmission, the method may also involve determining that the device is within a given proximity to a zone of the media playback system. Based on determining that the device is within the given proximity to the zone of the media playback system, the method may further involve causing the graphical interface to display an indication of (i) an identifier of the zone and (ii) a characteristic of the zone.

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.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrative environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble the operations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These process descriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is understood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.

Claim 1:
A method for a media playback system comprising a control device (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to control the media playback system based on communication between the control device (<NUM>, <NUM>) and one or more playback devices of the media playback system, the media playback system comprising two or more zones, each zone comprising one or more playback devices, the method comprising:
initiating, by the control device (<NUM>, <NUM>), playback of media in a first zone comprising at least a first playback device;
based on the communication between the control device (<NUM>, <NUM>) and one or more playback devices of the media playback system, determining that the control device (<NUM>, <NUM>) is moved to a second zone of the media playback system (<NUM>) that comprises at least a second playback device (<NUM>);
responsive to the determination, initiating, by the control device (<NUM>, <NUM>), playback of the media by the second playback device of the second zone,
wherein initiating playback of the media by the second playback device comprises causing synchronous playback in the first and second zones by grouping, by the media playback system, the first zone and the second zone into a zone group and, after the grouping, initiating the media playback initiated in the first zone to play back in synchrony in the first zone and the second zone.