Bonded Playback Group Volume Control via Primary Device Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital audio systems lack seamless satellite volume control across multiple playback devices in a bonded zone, leading to inconsistent audio experiences and user input inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where user input for volume changes at a secondary playback device is propagated throughout the bonded zone, with a primary playback device adjusting and transmitting the audio signal to all devices, ensuring synchronized volume adjustments across all playback devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If volume control is implemented independently at each playback device, then individual device control flexibility is improved, but volume consistency across the bonded zone deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual device control flexibilityVSAvoidvolume consistency across bonded zone

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The primary playback device acts as an intermediary that receives volume control inputs from any device in the bonded zone and distributes the adjusted audio signal to all other devices. This mediator approach maintains volume consistency while allowing flexible control access points throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the volume control functions of multiple independent playback devices into a unified control system. By combining individual device controls through the primary device coordination, the system achieves both operational flexibility and volume consistency across the bonded zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If each playback device processes volume adjustments independently, then device autonomy is improved, but system synchronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidsystem synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The primary playback device serves as a coordinating intermediary that receives autonomous control inputs from any device in the bonded zone and ensures synchronized distribution of the adjusted audio signal to all devices, maintaining system synchronization while preserving device autonomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the primary playback device receives control inputs, processes volume adjustments, and distributes the adjusted signal back to all devices in the bonded zone. This feedback loop ensures all devices remain synchronized while allowing autonomous control inputs from any device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If volume control is centralized at the primary playback device only, then system-wide consistency is improved, but user input accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem-wide volume consistencyVSAvoiduser input accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The primary playback device performs multiple functions: it maintains system-wide volume consistency through centralized processing while simultaneously serving as a universal control access point that receives inputs from any device in the bonded zone. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between centralized control and distributed accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The primary playback device acts as an intermediary that receives control inputs from any user device in the bonded zone and processes them centrally to maintain system-wide consistency. This intermediary role allows users to access control functions from multiple locations while ensuring unified volume management across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If secondary playback devices process volume changes locally, then response speed is improved, but audio signal synchronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume adjustment response speedVSAvoidaudio signal synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The primary playback device acts as an intermediary that receives volume control inputs and distributes the adjusted audio signal to all secondary devices. This approach maintains audio signal synchronization across all devices while achieving fast response through direct signal distribution from the primary device to all receivers simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10447221B2Playback device group volume control

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 SONOS INC

AI summary

Embodiments are provided for satellite volume control. An example method includes receiving an input at a playback device to adjust a volume for a plurality of playback devices that are grouped for synchronous playback of audio content, wherein the plurality of playback devices includes the playback device. The method also includes sending a first message over a network from the playback device to a device associated with the plurality of playback devices, the first message including information based on the input, wherein the information is used to adjust the volume of the plurality of playback devices. The method also includes receiving a second message at the playback device over the network, the second message including information for the volume of the playback device, wherein the volume is based on the adjusted volume of the plurality of playback devices.