Wireless radio switching

#The disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, to methods, systems, products, features, services, and other elements directed to media playback or some aspect thereof.

#Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loud setting were limited until in 2003, 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 2005. 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.

#Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology may be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

#FIG. 1 shows an example media playback system configuration in which certain embodiments may be practiced;

#FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device;

#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.

#I. Overview

#In the present application, systems and methods are provided to offer a unique wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless audio solution that allows audio content to, among other things, be played in a single listening zone or across multiple listening zones simultaneously and in synchrony. The audio content may be played out loud or using headphones, for instance. In an example, such a system may include audio devices, often referred to as zone players, players or playback devices, and controllers, which may also be a player. One or more controllers may be used to control the system, and may include capabilities for browsing and selecting audio content for playback, viewing and editing audio content in one or more playback queues, or grouping and ungrouping zone players into one or more listening zones, etc. The system may operate, in some embodiments, as a distributed system such that each controller has full control over the entire system, and each player has the ability to play audio content from either a same audio source or a different audio source as another player.