Zone Scene Activation for Dynamic Multi-Room Audio Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-zone audio systems struggle with dynamic group management and volume control, requiring manual adjustment of audio players, making it difficult to create and delete groups ad hoc and leading to an inconvenient and non-homogeneous audio environment.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for grouping multimedia players by themes or scenes, allowing synchronized playback and volume control through a controller with interactive graphic user interfaces, enabling dynamic scene activation and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional multi-zone audio systems use pre-programmed controllers for group management, then system configuration is simplified, but dynamic group creation and deletion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pre-programmed group configurations to dynamic group management where users can create, modify, and delete groups on-the-fly. The controller allows real-time reconfiguration of zone groupings without requiring system reprogramming, enabling adaptive response to changing user needs and situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages individual zone settings, creates dynamic groups, deletes groups, and coordinates synchronized playback across different zone configurations. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate pre-programmed controllers for different group scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of audio players is required in conventional systems, then individual zone control is precise, but user interaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges volume control operations for multiple zones into a single unified interface. When zones are grouped, the controller allows simultaneous volume adjustment of all grouped zones through one control action, while still preserving the ability to adjust individual zone volumes when needed. This combination approach reduces the number of separate adjustments required.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements partial action by allowing users to adjust volume for only the currently active group rather than requiring adjustment of all zones individually. This selective approach performs exactly the necessary control actions without redundant adjustments, simplifying user interaction while maintaining precision for the relevant zones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio sources are provided centrally in conventional systems, then source sharing is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex cross-bar switching device from the system and replaces it with a simplified digital routing approach. The centralized audio source is maintained for sharing capabilities, but the physical cross-bar device is removed in favor of software-based source distribution to multiple zones, reducing hardware complexity while preserving source sharing functionality.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional systems require separate stereo systems for each zone, then individual zone independence is maintained, but source sharing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each zone player is designed with multi-functionality: it can operate independently as a standalone stereo system while simultaneously serving as a networked node that receives and plays audio sources from centralized or shared locations. This universal design allows zones to maintain independence when needed while enabling source sharing across multiple zones through the networked controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device capable of controlling a networked media playback system receives data identifying a first zone player, a second zone player, and a zone scene including a predefined grouping of zone players including at least the first and second zone players. The computing device displays a representation of available zone players in the networked media playback system including a first selectable indication of the first zone player, a second selectable indication of the second zone player, and a third selectable indication of the zone scene that, when selected, causes the zone scene to be invoked such that the predefined grouping of zone players becomes configured for synchronous playback of media. While displaying the representation, the computing device receives a user input indicating that the zone scene has been selected to be invoked. Based on the user input, the computing device causes the zone scene to be invoked.