Multi-Zone Volume Control with Synchronized Group Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems lack efficient and intuitive methods for controlling volume across multiple playback zones in a network media system, limiting user flexibility and convenience in managing audio levels across different zones.
Innovation Solution
A network media system that allows for adjustable volume indicators on a user interface, enabling users to adjust playback volumes through touch inputs such as hold, swipe, or flick interactions, synchronizing volume changes across multiple playback zones, allowing for group volume control and independent adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional separate volume control for each playback zone is used, then individual zone volume adjustment is possible, but user operation complexity increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate volume controls for different playback zones into a single unified volume indicator that can control multiple zones simultaneously. The user interface displays one volume indicator representing the volume state of multiple playback zones, and a single user input adjusts the volume for all selected zones together, eliminating the need to separately control each zone's volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume indicator serves multiple functions: it displays the volume state of multiple playback zones, accepts user input for volume adjustment, and applies the adjusted volume to all selected zones. This multi-functional design allows one control element to perform what previously required multiple separate controls, improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate volume controls are provided for each playback zone, then individual zone control flexibility is maintained, but the number of control elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple zone volume controls are merged into a single volume indicator that represents and controls the volume of multiple playback zones. The system allows users to select which zones should be controlled together, and then a single volume adjustment applies to all selected zones, reducing the number of control elements while preserving control flexibility through selective grouping.
3Productivity
If manual separate adjustment of each playback zone volume is required, then precise individual control is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the volume adjustment operation for multiple playback zones into a single action. When zones are selected for group control, a single user input to the volume indicator adjusts the volume for all selected zones simultaneously, eliminating the need to sequentially adjust each zone's volume separately and significantly reducing the time required for volume control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to pre-select which playback zones should be controlled together before making volume adjustments. This preliminary grouping action enables subsequent volume changes to be applied to all selected zones in one operation, improving efficiency for repeated volume control tasks across the same set of zones.
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques involve controlling playback volumes. An example implementation includes displaying a group volume control of a synchrony group, the group volume control comprising a group volume indicator on a group volume slider and receiving, via the displayed group volume control, input data representing a selection of the group volume control. The implementation also includes displaying, concurrently with the group volume control, a first volume control comprising a first volume indicator on a first volume slider and a second volume control comprising a second volume indicator on a second volume slider. The implementation also includes receiving, via the displayed group volume control, input data representing an input to modify a first volume setting of the synchrony group to a second volume setting and transmitting instructions to cause the synchrony group to modify volume settings according to the second volume setting of the synchrony group.