Apparatus and method for automatic device selection for wireless media devices

A method for automatic device selection and for media content playback, the method comprising:

• wirelessly coupling a first media device that is in a first media zone to a second media device that is in a second media zone and to a mobile device that transmits media content;
• determining a first distance between the first media device and the second media device in response to a first signal as transmitted from the second media device;
• determining a second distance between the first media device and the mobile device in response to a second signal as transmitted from the mobile device;
• selecting the first media device to playback the media content from the mobile device if the second distance is less than the first distance;
• transmitting one of an audible preamble and an inaudible signature to the mobile device if the first distance is equal to the second distance is equal;
• and
• receiving the media content from the mobile device in response to the mobile device comparing the audible preamble to a first stored audible preamble corresponding to the first media device and determining that the audible preamble matches the first stored audible preamble,
• wherein the first media zone and the second media zone at least partially overlap one another,
• wherein determining the first distance is based on a measured signal strength of the first signal, and
• wherein determining the second distance is based on a measured signal strength of the second signal.

An apparatus for automatic device selection and for media content playback, the apparatus comprising:

• a mobile device for being wirelessly coupled to a first media device in a first media zone that (i) receives a first signal from a second media device in a second media zone to determine a first distance between the first media device and the second media device based on a measured signal strength of the first signal, and (ii) receives a second signal to determine a second distance between the mobile device and the first media device based on a measured signal strength of the second signal, the mobile device being configured to:
• transmit the second signal to the first media device;
• transmit media content for playback on the first media device if the first distance is greater than the second distance;
• receive one of a first audible preamble and a first inaudible signature from the first media device if the first distance is equal to second distance;
• and
• compare the first audible preamble to a first stored audible preamble corresponding to the first media device;
• and
• transmit the media content to the first media device for playback if the first audible preamble matches the first stored audible preamble,
• wherein the first media zone and the second media zone at least partially overlap one another.