US 10,257,035 B2Granted

Configuring a new playback device for a bonded zone

AssigneeSonos, Inc.

InventorsNeil Griffiths, Mark Triplett

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Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate configuration and naming of a multimedia playback device on a local playback network are disclosed. An example method includes identifying and analyzing local network topology to identify playback device(s) connected to the network at location(s). The example method includes analyzing a playback device to be added and comparing the playback device to be added to the playback device(s) already connected to the network. The example method includes displaying available option(s) to name the playback device to be added based on the analysis of the network, the already connected playback device(s) and the playback device to be added to the network. The example method includes naming the playback device to be added based on a selected available option.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computing device comprising:

one or more processors;
and
tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:
receiving from a first playback device that is not configured for a multimedia playback system, a message indicating (i) the first playback device is available to join the multimedia playback system and (ii) one or more characteristics of the first playback device;
receiving information indicating (i) a playback zone in the multimedia playback system, (ii) a second playback device in the playback zone, wherein the second playback device has a playback device name, and (iii) one or more characteristics of the second playback device;
based on the one or more characteristics of the first playback device and the one or more characteristics of the second playback device, determining that the first playback device is compatible to join the playback zone as a part of a bonded zone with the second playback device;
displaying on a user interface, a graphical representation selectable to configure the first playback device for the multimedia playback system as a part of the bonded zone with the second playback device;
receiving a user input comprising a zone name for the bonded zone that is different than the playback device name of the second playback device;
and
based on a selection of the graphical representation, configuring the first playback device and the second playback device to playback audio content as the bonded zone having the received zone name in the multimedia playback system.

7 more elements

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to perform functions comprising:

receiving from a first playback device that is not configured for a multimedia playback system, a message indicating (i) the first playback device is available to join the multimedia playback system and (ii) one or more characteristics of the first playback device;
receiving information indicating (i) a playback zone in the multimedia playback system, (ii) a second playback device in the playback zone, wherein the second playback device has a playback device name, and (iii) one or more characteristics of the second playback device;
based on the one or more characteristics of the first playback device and the one or more characteristics of the second playback device, determining that the first playback device is compatible to join the playback zone as a part of a bonded zone with the second playback device;
displaying on a user interface, a graphical representation selectable to configure the first playback device for the multimedia playback system as a part of the bonded zone with the second playback device;
receiving a user input comprising a zone name for the bonded zone that is different than the playback device name of the second playback device;
and
based on a selection of the graphical representation, configuring the first playback device and the second playback device to playback audio content as the bonded zone having the received zone name in the multimedia playback system, wherein while configured to playback audio content in the bonded zone, the first playback device and the second playback device are configured to play the audio content in synchrony with each other.

4 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving by a computing device from a first playback device that is not configured for a multimedia playback system, a message indicating (i) the first playback device is available to join the multimedia playback system and (ii) one or more characteristics of the first playback device;
receiving by the computing device, information indicating (i) a playback zone in the multimedia playback system, (ii) a second playback device in the playback zone, wherein the second playback device has a playback device name, and (iii) one or more characteristics of the second playback device;
based on the one or more characteristics of the first playback device and the one or more characteristics of the second playback device, determining by the computing device that the first playback device is compatible to join the playback zone as a part of a bonded zone with the second playback device;
displaying by the computing device on a user interface, a graphical representation selectable to configure the first playback device for the multimedia playback system as a part of the bonded zone with the second playback device;
receiving a user input comprising a zone name for the bonded zone that is different than the playback device name of the second playback device;
and
based on a selection of the graphical representation, configuring by the computing device, the first playback device and the second playback device to playback audio content as the bonded zone having the received zone name in the multimedia playback system, wherein while configured to playback audio content in the bonded zone, the first playback device and the second playback device are configured to play the audio content in synchrony with each other.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/872,983Filed 16 Jan 2018 · continuation
Priority: 30 Dec 2011
Published: US 2018/0159732 A17 Jun 2018
Granted: 9 Apr 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H04L 41/0806
Configuration setting: for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
H04L 12/2809
Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network: indicating that an appliance service is present in a home…
H04N 21/43615
Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home: interfacing a…
H04N 21/43637
Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network: involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth®, RF or wireless…

Family

Application13/341,245Parent of this continuation · filed 30 Dec 2011
Application15/090,153Parent of this continuation · filed 4 Apr 2016
US 9,344,292 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 17 May 2016
US 9,871,696 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Jan 2018
US 2018/0159732 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Jun 2018
US 2013/0173761 A1Published application
US 2016/0218923 A1Published application
US 10,257,035 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.