Playback Queue Transfer Across Audio Zones for Seamless Continuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for digital audio playback in out-loud settings are limited in flexibility and convenience, lacking seamless transfer of playback queues between groups of playback zones in a network media system.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for transferring a playback queue from a first group of playback zones to a second group within a network media system, allowing users to dynamically move a playback queue representation on an interface to achieve seamless continuation of audio playback across different zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If playback queue transfer between zones is implemented, then user convenience and system flexibility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary that manages playback queue transfers between playback zones. The control device receives user inputs, determines source and destination zones, and coordinates the queue transfer process, thereby simplifying the user interface while centralizing the complexity in the control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback queue is copied from the source playback zone to the destination playback zone rather than physically moving data structures. This copying mechanism allows the queue to be transferred between zones while maintaining data integrity and enabling seamless continuation of playback without complex data migration procedures.
2Reliability
If seamless playback continuation is achieved across zones, then audio quality and user experience are improved, but synchronization requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control device monitors playback status across zones and adjusts synchronization accordingly. When a queue transfer is initiated, the system tracks the playback position and ensures the destination zone synchronizes with the source zone, providing seamless continuation while managing complexity through active monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-synchronizing the destination playback zone before the actual queue transfer. The control device prepares the destination zone by loading the queue data and setting up synchronization parameters in advance, which reduces the complexity of real-time synchronization during the actual transfer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic zone grouping is enabled, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but control mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic zone grouping where playback zones can be flexibly assigned as source or destination for queue transfers based on user needs. The control device dynamically determines the appropriate zones to transfer queues between, allowing the system to adapt to different user scenarios without requiring complex pre-configured groupings or rigid zone structures.
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques relate to transferring playback between playback devices within a network media system. In an example, while a first playback device is playing a first audio track of a playlist, a device displays a representation of metadata for the first audio track, transport controls to control playback, a volume control to control playback volume, and a selectable control that, when selected, causes display of a zone selection interface. The device receives input data representing a selection of the selectable control and modifies the control interface to display the zone selection interface, which includes indications of second playback devices and respective second selectable controls. The device receives input data representing selections of one or more second selectable controls, which correspond to one or more particular second playback devices and then transfers playback to the one or more particular second playback devices.