Playback Group Identification for Synchronized Multi-Room Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems lack efficient methods for identifying and managing device groups, particularly in networked environments, which hinders seamless synchronization and control of audio playback across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for identifying and managing device groups in a networked media playback system, involving a controller device that receives and stores group identification information from playback devices, including group coordinators, to facilitate synchronized media playback across zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device groups are managed in networked media playback systems, then synchronized audio playback across multiple zones is achieved, but device complexity increases due to the need for group identification and coordination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller device as an intermediary that manages group identification information for multiple playback devices. The controller receives, stores, and provides group identification data, acting as a central coordinator that simplifies the complexity for individual playback devices while ensuring reliable synchronized playback across the networked system.
2Ease of operation
If group identification information is stored and managed centrally, then device group management becomes easier to operate, but the controller device requires additional storage and processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The controller device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a user interface for the media playback system and as a central repository for group identification information. This universal design allows the same device to handle user interactions while also managing the technical aspects of group coordination, reducing the need for separate dedicated hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques involve identification of device groups. In an example implementation, a mobile device displays, via a control application, a synchrony group control including controls to select playback devices for a synchrony group. The mobile device receives input data representing a command to create a new synchrony group, the input data including input data representing selection of two or more playback devices for a new synchrony group. In response, the mobile device forms the synchrony group by receiving input data indicating a particular group identification for the new synchrony group, determining that the particular group identification is unique among other synchrony groups, and sending data representing instructions to the playback devices to form the new synchrony group with the particular group identification. In response to forming the new synchrony group, the mobile device updates an interface for the media playback system to indicate the new synchrony group.