Systems and methods for playback device management

A method for localizing a portable device in a networked media playback system, the method comprising:

• collecting, at a coordinator device of the networked media playback system, signal information comprising
• a) a first set of signal characteristics comprising, for each respective reference device of a plurality of reference devices, at least one first signal characteristic between the respective reference device and the portable device, wherein
• the portable device is configured to wirelessly communicate with each reference device of the plurality of reference devices, and
• b) a second set of signal characteristics comprising, for each respective discrete pair of reference devices of the plurality of reference devices, at least one second signal characteristic between the respective unique pair of reference devices,
• wherein the signal information represents wireless communications captured over a period of time;
• analyzing, by the coordinator device, the signal information to identify one or more nearest reference devices of the plurality of reference devices to the portable device based on relative signal strengths of signals represented within the first set of signal characteristics and the second set of signal characteristics;
• and
• causing, by the coordinator device, control interactions submitted to the portable device to be associated with at least one reference device of the one or more nearest reference devices.

A networked media playback system for localizing a portable device in a networked media playback system, the networked media playback system comprising:

• a controller application configured for execution by the portable device, the controller application being configured to wirelessly communicate with each reference device of a plurality of reference devices;
• and
• a coordinator device in wireless communication with the plurality of reference devices and the portable device, wherein the coordinator device comprises at least one processor configured to
• collect signal information comprising
• a) a first set of signal characteristics comprising, for each respective reference device of the plurality of reference devices, at least one first signal characteristic between the respective reference device and the portable device, and
• b) a second set of signal characteristics comprising, for each respective discrete pair of reference devices of the plurality of reference devices, at least one second signal characteristic between the respective discrete pair of reference devices,
• wherein the signal information represents wireless communications captured over a period of time,
• analyze the signal information to identify one or more nearest reference devices of the plurality of reference devices to the portable device based on relative signal strengths of signals represented within the first set of signal characteristics and the second set of signal characteristics, and
• cause control interactions submitted via the controller application of the portable device to be associated with at least one reference device of the one or more nearest reference devices.