Playback Queue Collaboration for Playlist Sync Across Audio Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital media playback systems lack seamless integration and synchronization of playlist updates with playback queue modifications, particularly in networked media systems, limiting user convenience and flexibility in out-loud settings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically updating a playlist added to a playback queue in response to changes made to the queue, with optional user confirmation and notification of modifications applied to the playlist, enabling synchronized playback across zones in a network media system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual playlist updates are required for each playback queue modification, then system control precision is improved, but user convenience and operation ease deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaylist update precisionVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically updates playlists when playback queue modifications occur. When a user adds, removes, or reorders items in a playback queue, the system self-updates the associated playlist without requiring manual intervention, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining update precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where playback queue modifications trigger automatic playlist updates. The system detects changes in the playback queue and feeds back by updating the playlist accordingly, ensuring synchronization without manual user action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If separate manual updates are performed for playlist and playback queue, then system complexity is reduced, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidupdate efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the playlist update function with the playback queue modification function. When a modification occurs in the playback queue (adding, removing, or reordering items), the system combines this operation with an automatic playlist update, eliminating the need for separate manual updates and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary setup by establishing the relationship between playlists and playback queues in advance. This preliminary configuration enables automatic synchronization during operation, reducing the need for subsequent manual updates and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If real-time synchronization between playlist and playback queue is implemented, then user experience and adaptability are improved, but system complexity and processing requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-service mechanisms where the playback queue automatically notifies the playlist of its modifications. The playlist automatically updates itself without requiring complex centralized control or manual intervention, achieving real-time synchronization with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (playback queue modification notification system) that mediates between the playback queue and playlist. When the playback queue changes, it sends a notification to the playlist, which then updates accordingly, achieving real-time synchronization through a simple intermediary rather than complex direct coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If automatic playlist updates are implemented without user confirmation, then operation ease and productivity are improved, but control precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidupdate reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that notify users when automatic playlist updates occur. This feedback loop maintains reliability by ensuring users are aware of the changes, while the automatic update process itself maintains ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260023781A1Playback Queue Collaboration and Notification

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 SONOS INC

AI summary

Embodiments are provided for updating a playlist that has been added to a playback queue in response to changes to the playback queue. The playback queue may be associated with a zone of a network media system such that items in the playback queue are to be rendered by the zone. The playlist may include one or more items playable by the zone, and may be stored separately from where the playback queue is maintained. Embodiments are also provided for updating a playback queue in response to modifications to a playlist included in the playback queue.