# US RE51,071 E1 · Wearable device zone group control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE51,071 E1 - Document ID: USRE51071E1 - Status: Granted - Kind: E1 - Application number: 17/858,295 - Filed: 2022-07-06 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-09 - Assignees: Sonos, Inc. - Applicants: Sonos, Inc. - Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates; Danielle Storlie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE51071E1 ## CPC - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - G06F 1/163: {Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt} - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/14: Digital output to display device {; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units} - G06F 3/162: {Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs} - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - H04R 29/007: {for public address systems (public address systems per se H04R27/00)} - H04R 2227/003: Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract Configuration information and selectable grouping options associated with the plurality of zones is displayed, for example, on a wearable device. Selection of a first selectable grouping option is received and in response a configuration change is transmitted. The configuration change may comprise information indicating a first zone is to join a zone group with a second zone of the plurality of zones. Updated configuration information is received indicating that a media playback system includes the zone group comprising the first zone and the second zone. The updated configuration information is displayed on the wearable device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable device, comprising: a user interface; a communication interface; a at least one processor; a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed are executable by the at least one processor, cause such that the wearable device to perform functions comprising is configured to: receiving receive, from a first controller application installed on a computing device, respective configuration information corresponding to each of a plurality of network devices in a household that have been grouped together at least one playback device that is part of a media playback system that is controlled by the wearable device and the computing device, wherein the wearable device, the computing device, and the at least one playback device are each connected to a local area network, and wherein the first controller application of the computing device is configured to facilitate control of each of the plurality of network devices in the household the at least one playback device via a data the local area network, and wherein the plurality of network devices includes a first network device; displaying display, via the user interface a second controller application installed on the wearable device, an indication of the first network device at least one playback device, wherein the second controller application is configured to (i) facilitate control of the at least one playback device via communication with the first controller application of the computing device, (ii) operate in a first mode, wherein, while operating in the first mode, the second controller application is configured to (a) cause display of a first set of options for configuring a first setting of the at least one playback device and (b) enable user input for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device, and (iii) operate in a second mode, wherein, while operating in the second mode, the second controller application is configured to (a) cause display of a second set of options for configuring a second setting of the at least one playback device and (b) enable user input for configuring the second setting of the at least one playback device but not the first setting of the at least one playback device; receiving receive, via the user interface, a first user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the first network device at least one playback; in response to receiving the first user input, displaying, via the user interface, a representation of configuration information corresponding to the first network device that is indicative of a configuration of the first network device cause the second controller application to begin operating in the first mode such that the second controller application displays the first set of options for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device; receive, via the user interface, a second user input to the second controller application indicating a request for the second controller application to transition from the first mode to the second mode; based on the second user input, cause the second controller application to transition from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode such that the second controller application replaces the display of the first set of options for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device with a display of the second set of options for configuring the second setting of the at least one playback device; transmit, to the first controller application of the computing device, an indication that the second controller application has transitioned from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode; receive, from the first controller application of the computing device, an acknowledgement that the second controller application has transitioned from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode; receiving receive, via the user interface, a second third user input to the second controller application indicating a requested change to the configuration of the first network device selection of an option from the second set of options, wherein the selection of the option indicates a request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device; in response to receiving the second third user input, causing cause the first controller application of the computing device to transmit, to the first network at least one playback device via the data local area network, a command indicating the requested change to the configuration of the first network device request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device; as a result of after causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the command, receiving receive, via the communication interface from the first controller application of the computing device, updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device reflecting that the first network at least one playback device has applied the requested change to the configuration of the first network device; and configuration to the second setting of the at least one playback device; in response to receiving the updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device, displaying display, via the user interface second controller application, the updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device; receive, from the first controller application, an indication of a currently playing playback device being displayed via the first controller application; and based on the received indication of the currently playing playback device, automatically update the second controller application to display an indication of the currently playing playback device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the first network device is a playback device at least one playback device is configured to play back media content, and wherein the configuration information comprises configuration information related to playing back the media content by the at least one playback device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The wearable device of claim 2, wherein the requested change to the configuration of the first network request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device comprises at least one of (i) a request to change a volume level of the at least one playback device, (ii) a request to pause play back of the media content by the at least one playback device, (iii) a request to skip a portion of the play back of the media content by the at least one playback device, or (iv) a request for the first at least one playback device to enter into a group with a second at least one additional playback device in which the first and second playback devices are such that the at least one playback device and the at least one additional playback device are collectively configured for synchronous playback of the media content. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the second third user input indicates that a given configuration parameter of the first network device is to be changed a request to change the second setting of the at least one playback device from a first value to a second value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of network devices at least one playback device includes a first playback device and a second network playback device and, wherein the command is a first command, and wherein the wearable device further comprising comprises program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor to cause such that the wearable device to perform functions comprising is configured to: displaying display, via the user interface second controller application, an indication of the second network playback device; receiving receive, via the user interface, a third fourth user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the second network playback device; in response to receiving the third fourth user input, displaying display, via the user interface, a representation of configuration information corresponding to the second network device that is indicative of a configuration of the second network device second controller application, a third set of options for configuring a third setting of the second playback device; receiving receive, via the user interface, a fourth fifth user input to the second controller application indicating a requested change to the configuration of the second network device selection of an option from the third set of options, wherein the selection of the option indicates a request to configure the third setting of the second playback device; in response to receiving the fourth fifth user input, causing cause the first controller application of the computing device to transmit, to the second network playback device via the data local area network, a second command indicating the requested change to the configuration of the second network device request to configure the third setting of the second playback device; as a result of causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the second command, receiving receive, via the communication interface from the first controller application of the computing device, updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device reflecting that the second network playback device has implemented the requested change to the configuration of the second network device applied the requested configuration to the third setting of the second playback device; and in response to receiving the updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device, displaying display, via the user interface second controller application, the updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the second controller application of the wearable device is configured to facilitate control of the at least one playback device via communication with the first controller application of the mobile device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor to cause such that the wearable device to perform functions comprising is configured to: displaying display, via the user interface second controller application, a selectable grouping option associated with a given group of network playback devices that includes the first network at least one playback device and at least one other network playback device of the plurality of network devices in the household; receiving receive, via the user interface, a third fourth user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the selectable grouping option; in response to receiving the third fourth user input, causing cause the first controller application of the computing device to transmit, to at least the first network at least one playback device via the data local area network, a command to form the given group of network playback devices; and as a result of transmitting after causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the command to form the given group of network playback devices, receiving receive, via the communication interface from the first controller application of the computing device, an indication that the given group of network playback devices has been formed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen, and wherein the first user input is at least one of (i) a tap on the user interface display screen, (ii) a swipe across a portion of the user interface display screen, or (iii) a shaking of the wearable device, and wherein the second user input is at least one of (i) a tap on the user interface display screen, (ii) a swipe across a portion of the user interface display screen, or (iii) a shaking of the wearable device. ### Claim 9 A method carried out by a wearable device comprising a user interface, the method comprising: receiving, by a wearable device from a first controller application installed on a computing device, respective configuration information corresponding to each of a plurality of network devices in a household that have been grouped together at least one playback device that is part of a media playback system that is controlled by the wearable device and the computing device, wherein the wearable device, the computing device, and the at least one playback device are each connected to a local area network, and wherein the first controller application of the computing device is configured to facilitate control of each of the plurality of network devices in the household the at least one playback device via a data the local area network, and wherein the plurality of network devices includes a first network device; displaying, via a user interface of a second controller application installed on the wearable device, an indication of the first network at least one playback device, wherein the second controller application is configured to (i) facilitate control of the at least one playback device via communication with the first controller application of the computing device, (ii) operate in a first mode, wherein, while the operating in the first mode, the second controller application is configured to (a) cause display of a first set of options for configuring a first setting of the at least one playback device and (b) enable user input for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device, and (iii) operate in a second mode, wherein, while operating in the second mode, the second controller application is configured to (a) cause display of a second set of options for configuring a second setting of the at least one playback device and (b) enable user input for configuring the second setting of the at least one playback device but not the first setting of the at least one playback device; receiving, via the user interface of the wearable device, a first user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the first network at least one playback device; in response to receiving the first user input, displaying, via the user interface of the wearable device, a representation of configuration information corresponding to the first network device that is indicative of a configuration of the first network device causing the second controller application to begin operating in the first mode such that the second controller application displays the first set of options for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device; receiving, via the user interface, a second user input to the second controller application indicating a request for the second controller application to transition from the first mode to the second mode; based on the second user input, causing the second controller application to transition from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode such that the second controller application replaces the display of the first set of options for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device with a display of the second set of options for configuring the second setting of the at least one playback device; transmitting to the first controller application of the computing device, an indication that the second controller application has transitioned from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode; receiving, from the first controller application of the computing device, an acknowledgement that the second controller application has transitioned from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode; receiving, via the user interface of the wearable device, a second third user input indicating a requested change to the configuration of the first network device to the second controller application indicating a selection of an option from the second set of options, wherein the selection of the option indicates a request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device; in response to receiving the second third user input, causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit, to the first network at least one playback device via the data local area network, a command indicating the requested change to the configuration of the first network device request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device; as a result of after causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the command, receiving, via the communication interface of the wearable device from the first controller application of the computing device, updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device reflecting that the first network at least one playback device has applied the requested change to the configuration of the first network device; and configuration to the second setting of the at least one playback device; in response to receiving the updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device, displaying, via the user interface of the wearable device second controller application, the updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device; receiving, from the first controller application, an indication of a currently playing playback device being displayed via the first controller application; and based on the received indication of the currently playing playback device, automatically updating the second controller application to display an indication of the currently playing playback device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first network device is a playback device at least one playback device is configured to play back media content, and wherein the configuration information comprises configuration information related to playing back the media content by the at least one playback device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the requested change to the configuration of the first network request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device comprises at least one of (i) a request to change a volume level of the at least one playback device, (ii) a request to pause play back of the media content by the at least one playback device, (iii) a request to skip a portion of the play back of the media content by the at least one playback device, or (iv) a request for the first at least one playback device to enter into a group with a second at least one additional playback device in which the first and second playback devices are such that the at least one playback device and the at least one additional playback device are collectively configured for synchronous playback of the media content. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of network devices at least one playback device includes a first playback device and a second network playback device and wherein the command is a first command, the method further comprising: displaying, via the user interface of the wearable device second controller application, an indication of the second network playback device; receiving, via the user interface of the wearable device, a third fourth user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the second network playback device; in response to receiving the third fourth user input, displaying, via the user interface of the wearable device, a representation of configuration information corresponding to the second network device that is indicative of a configuration of the second network device second controller application, a third set of options for configuring a third setting of the second playback device; receiving, via the user interface of the wearable device, a fourth fifth user input to the second controller application indicating a requested change to the configuration of the second network device selection of an option from the third set of options, second controller application indicating a selection of an option from the third set of options, wherein the selection of the option indicates a request to configure the third setting of the second playback device; in response to receiving the fourth fifth user input, causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit, to the second network playback device via the data local area network, a second command indicating the requested change to the configuration of the second network device request to configure the third setting of the second playback device; as a result of causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the second command, receiving, via the communication interface of the wearable device from the first controller application of the computing device, updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device reflecting that the second network playback device has implemented the requested change to the configuration of the second network device applied the requested configuration to the third setting of the second playback device; and in response to receiving the updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device, displaying, via the user interface of the wearable device second controller application, the updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the second controller application of the wearable device is configured to facilitate control of the at least one playback device via communication with the first controller application of the mobile device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen, and wherein the first user input is at least one of (i) a tap on the user interface display screen, (ii) a swipe across a portion of the user interface display screen, or (iii) a shaking of the wearable device, and wherein the second user input is at least one of (i) a tap on the user interface display screen, (ii) a swipe across a portion of the user interface display screen, or (iii) a shaking of the wearable device. ### Claim 15 A non-transitory computer-readable medium having, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium is provisioned with program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by a at least one processor of a wearable device, cause the a wearable device comprising a user interface to perform functions comprising: receiving receive, from a first controller application installed on a computing device, respective configuration information corresponding to each of a plurality of network devices in a household that have been grouped together at least one playback device that is part of a media playback system that is controlled by the wearable device and the computing device, wherein the wearable device, the computing device, and the at least one playback device are each connected to a local area network, and wherein the first controller application of the computing device is configured to facilitate control of each of the plurality of network devices in the household the at least one playback device via a data the local area network, and wherein the plurality of network devices includes a first network device; displaying display, via a user interface of the wearable device a second controller application installed on the wearable device, an indication of the first network at least one playback device, wherein the second controller application is configured to (i) facilitate control of the at least one playback device via communication with the first controller application of the computing device, (ii) operate in a first mode, wherein, while operating in the first mode, the second controller application is configured to (a) cause display of a first set of options for configuring a first setting of the at least one playback device and (b) enable user input for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device, and (iii) operate in a second mode, wherein, while operating in the second mode, the second controller application is configured to (a) cause display of a second set of options for configuring a second setting of the at least one playback device and (b) enable user input for configuring the second setting of the at least one playback device but not the first setting of the at least one playback device; receiving receive, via the user interface of the wearable device, a first user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the first network at least one playback device; in response to receiving the first user input, displaying, via the user interface of the wearable device, a representation of configuration information corresponding to the first network device that is indicative of a configuration of the first network device cause the second controller application to begin operating in the first mode such that the second controller application displays the first set of options for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device; receive, via the user interface, a second user input to the second controller application indicating a request for the second controller application to transition from the first mode to the second mode; based on the second user input, cause the second controller application to transition from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode such that the second controller application replaces the display of the first set of options for configuring the first setting of the at least one playback device with a display of the second set of options for configuring the second setting of the at least one playback device; transmit, to the first controller application of the computing device, an indication that the second controller application has transitioned from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode; receive, from the first controller application of the computing device, an acknowledgement that the second controller application has transitioned from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode; receiving receive, via the user interface of the wearable device, a second third user input to the second controller application indicating a requested change to the configuration of the first network device selection of an option from the second set of options, wherein the selection of the option indicates a request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device; in response to receiving the second third user input, causing cause the first controller application of the the computing device to transmit, to the first network at least one playback device via the data local area network, a command indicating the requested change to the configuration of the first network device request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device; as a result of after causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the command, receiving receive, via the communication interface of the wearable device from the first controller application of the computing device, updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device reflecting that the first network at least one playback device has applied the requested change to the configuration of the first network device; and configuration to the second setting of the at least one playback device; in response to receiving the updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device, displaying display, via the user interface of the wearable device second controller application, the updated configuration information corresponding to the first network at least one playback device; receive, from the first controller application, an indication of a currently playing playback device being displayed via the first controller application; and based on the received indication of the currently playing playback device, automatically update the second controller application to display an indication of the currently playing playback device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first network device is a playback device at least one playback is configured to play back media content, and wherein the configuration information comprises configuration information related to playing back the media content by the at least one playback device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the requested change to the configuration of the first network request to configure the second setting of the at least one playback device comprises at least one of (i) a request to change a volume level of the at least one playback device, (ii) a request to pause play back of the media content by the at least one playback device, (iii) a request to skip a portion of the play back of the media content by the at least one playback device, or (iv) a request for the first at least one playback device to enter into a group with a second at least one additional playback device in which the first and second playback devices are such that the at least one playback device and the at least one additional playback device are collectively configured for synchronous playback of the media content. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the plurality of network devices at least one playback device includes a first playback device and a second network playback device and, wherein the command is a first command, and further comprising wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provisioned with program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor of the wearable device, cause the wearable device to perform functions comprising: displaying display, via the user interface of the wearable device second controller application, an indication of the second network playback device; receiving receive, via the user interface of the wearable device, a third fourth user input to the second controller application indicating a selection of the second network playback device; in response to receiving the third fourth user input, displaying display, via the user interface of the wearable device, a representation of configuration information corresponding to the second network device that is indicative of a configuration of the second network device second controller application, a third set of options for configuring a third setting of the second playback device; receiving receive, via the user interface of the wearable device, a fourth fifth user input to the second controller application indicating a requested change to the configuration of the second network device selection of an option from the third set of options, wherein the selection of the option indicates a request to configure the third setting of the second playback device; in response to receiving the fourth fifth user input, causing cause the first controller application of the computing device to transmit, to the second network playback device via the data local area network, a second command indicating the requested change to the configuration of the second network device request to configure the third setting of the second playback device; as a result of causing the first controller application of the computing device to transmit the second command, receiving receive, via the communication interface of the wearable device from the first controller application of the computing device, updated configuration information corresponding to the second networkplayback device reflecting that the second network playback device has applied the requested change to the configuration of the second network device the requested configuration to the third setting of the second playback device; and in response to receiving the updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device, displaying display, via the user interface of the wearable device second controller application, the updated configuration information corresponding to the second network playback device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the second controller application of the wearable device is configured to facilitate control of the at least one playback device via communication with the first controller application of the mobile device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen, and wherein the first user input is at least one of (i) a tap on the user interface display screen, (ii) a swipe across a portion of the user interface display screen, or (iii) a shaking of the wearable device, and wherein the second user input is at least one of (i) a tap on the user interface display screen, (ii) a swipe across a portion of the user interface display screen, or (iii) a shaking of the wearable device.