JP2017174435A - Selectively coordinated audio player system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a selectively coordinated audio playback system.SOLUTION: An audio playback system includes a plurality of audio players 112, 114, and 116 serving, receiving, and rendering audio content. A controller is in communication with the audio players and controls the audio content provided on each audio player. The controller includes a touchscreen user interface to receive user input and is configured to selectively coordinate the audio content from the plurality of audio players according to gestures detected via the touchscreen interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

  Unless otherwise specified herein, the subject matter described in this section is not prior art to the claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

  Audio players can be placed in separate areas of the house or other building to provide playback in such separate areas. Each audio player can have its own amplifier (s) usually installed in one place and one or more speakers. For example, one audio player system can be placed in the living room while another audio player system is placed in the bedroom. Thus, different areas / zones of the home may have separate audio players that play from the same sound source or different sound sources. In order to play the sound source, the sound source is provided locally at each audio player via the Internet, a local network server, connected storage, external analog audio input, compact disc or wireless broadcast or the like. Thus, each room can provide the same audio content or different audio content by separately controlling different audio player systems. In some examples, a single audio player system can include speakers wired in multiple rooms to create an audio environment that is inherently acoustically separate in separate rooms. For example, ceiling mounted speakers can be provided throughout the house to play audio content from a single source of audio content.

  The digital audio player can be configured to play audio content from a digital source of audio content, such as a digital media file. The digital audio player can be a portable digital music player, a fixed audio-video receiver, a television or a computer, and the digital media file can be stored locally on such a device or via the Internet. Digital media files can also be stored on a remote server for streaming.

  A user interface for dynamically managing audio playback from a network audio player system includes a touch-sensitive display. A touch-sensitive display is used to detect a gesture input and associate the gesture input with a configuration for audio playback from an audio player. The system can be configured to play back common audio content in a group of audio players synchronously, or it can be configured to play separate audio content on each audio player, or a combination of them. It can also be configured. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a single gesture input, such as a drag gesture, a spread gesture, a squeeze gesture, causes the system to form a group of audio players for synchronized playback, or audio for synchronized playback You can edit an existing group of players. For example, a single drag gesture input to the user interface allows the system to form a group for synchronized playback with selectable members, add a selectable player to an existing group, select a selectable player It can be removed from an existing group. Additionally or alternatively, with a single squeeze gesture or spread gesture entered in the user interface, the system allows all players to join a single group and / or remove all players from an existing group can do.

  Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of configuring a plurality of network audio players according to input from a touch-sensitive display. The method can include instructing the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a portion of the plurality of network audio players. The method can include receiving data indicative of gesture input via a touch-sensitive display. The method can include associating received data with a configuration indicated by gestures for audio playback from a plurality of network audio players. The method may include instructing a plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture. The method may include instructing the touch-sensitive display to depict a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players, including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture. it can.

  Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method. The method may include detecting a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is displaying a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players. it can. The method can include associating the detected gesture with a configuration indicated by gestures for audio playback from a plurality of network audio players. The method may include instructing a plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture. The method can include displaying a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players, including the indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture, via the touch-sensitive display. .

  Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system comprising a plurality of network audio players and a controller. The plurality of network audio players can each be configured to play audio content in accordance with instructions delivered by the network. The controller can include a user interface having a touch-sensitive display. The controller can be configured to detect gestures via the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is depicting a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players. . The controller can be configured to associate the detected gesture with the configuration indicated by the gesture for audio playback from multiple network audio players. The controller can be configured to instruct a plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture. The controller can be configured to display a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players, including indications of the configuration indicated by the gesture, for coordinated audio playback. .

  Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable medium that stores instructions. These instructions, when executed by one or more processors at the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations. These operations can include instructing the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a portion of the plurality of network audio players. These operations can include receiving input data indicative of gesture input via a touch-sensitive display. These operations can include associating the received data with a configuration indicated by gestures for audio playback from multiple network audio players. These operations can include instructing a plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture. These operations may include instructing the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players that include the indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture. it can.

  These aspects, advantages and alternatives, as well as other aspects, advantages and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings.

It is a functional block diagram of an audio content distribution system in which a plurality of audio players provide audio content in accordance with instructions from a controller. It is a functional block diagram of a controller provided with a touch-sensitive display user interface. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for selectively grouping players to provide coordinated audio content based on gestures detected by a touch-sensitive display user interface. 6 is a flowchart of a process for creating a group with a touch-sensitive display user interface. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display with superimposed gesture indicators illustrating an example of a process for creating a group. 3B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after creating a group as shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for adding players to a group via a touch-sensitive display user interface. FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display with superimposed gesture indicators illustrating an example process for adding players to a group. 4B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after adding a player to a group as shown in FIG. 4B. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for joining all available players to a single group via a touch-sensitive display user interface. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface superimposed with a squeeze gesture indicator, illustrating an example process for joining all available players to a single group. FIG. 5B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after grouping all available players as shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for individually removing players from a group via a touch-sensitive display user interface. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface overlaid with gesture indicators illustrating an example process for individually removing players from a group. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface overlaid with gesture indicators, illustrating another example of a process for individually removing players from a group. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for destroying all existing groups via a touch-sensitive display user interface. FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface with an overlay of spreading gesture indicators illustrating an example process of destroying all existing groups. FIG. 7B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after destroying all existing groups as shown in FIG. 7B. 4 is a flowchart of a process for ordering players on a touch-sensitive display user interface. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface overlaid with gesture indicators illustrating an example process for ordering players. FIG. 8B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after ordering the players as shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for dynamically adjusting a group according to gestures detected via a touch-sensitive display user interface. 1 illustrates a computer readable medium configured in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

  The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system for collaborative delivery of audio content to a group of network audio players. Each network audio player is configured to play audio content in accordance with instructions from the controller. In addition, the audio player can optionally include a user interface that allows local control of the player and / or selection of audio content to be played on one or more of the network audio players. Audio content can be streamed over the Internet from a local server, hard drive or flash memory device at a controller or another network accessible location, or from an analog or digital sound source that is locally made network accessible. it can. For example, the receiver converts the audio stream and streams it to a network audio player (eg, AM encoded wireless audio content, FM encoded wireless audio content, satellite wireless audio content, compact disc encoded audio content, vinyl disc audio, etc. Content etc.) can be configured to have an audio output connected to a network enabled device configured as follows.

  The controller comprises a user interface suitable for browsing and selecting audio content for playback on a network audio player from various sources. The user interface also allows the user to select a configuration for coordinated audio playback from a network audio player. In some configurations of audio playback, multiple audio players can play synchronized audio content. In some configurations of audio playback, multiple audio players can play different audio content. In the example where the network audio player is located in a separate zone of the audio environment (eg, a separate room of the building), separate controls for the audio player allow selectable audio content throughout the audio environment. For example, all rooms on one floor of a house can be grouped for synchronized playback to create an integrated audio environment, while rooms on different floors play different audio content. Or there can be no playback at all, they are all controlled from a single user interface.

  In some embodiments, the controller and / or controller user interface can be integrated with one or more of the network audio players (eg, integrated within an audio player cabinet). Further, in some examples, multiple controllers integrated with one or more of the network audio players and / or remotely located controllers cooperate to browse and select audio content for playback. The configuration for audio playback can be selected.

  In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller comprises a touch-sensitive display and is configured to detect gesture input. Gesture input can include one or more fingers moving across the surface of the display (eg, dragging a finger across the touch-sensitive display). Gesture input can also include one or more fingers touching the display (eg, tapping a touch-sensitive display). Gesture input can be detected, for example, by sensing one or more fingers that move relative to the touch-sensitive display. The controller may associate the detected gesture input with a configuration for audio playback and instruct the network audio player to provide audio content according to the configuration associated with the gesture. For example, a drag and drop gesture that drags a representation of one audio player to another audio player can be associated with forming a group for synchronized playback from the two players. In another example, a drag and drop gesture that drags a representation of an audio player in an existing group to an area that is not part of an existing group removes the player from the existing group and stops playback in that player Can be associated. In another example, a squeeze or pinch-in gesture can be associated with grouping all available players together and providing synchronized playback throughout the audio environment. In another example, a spread or pinch-out gesture can be associated with removing all available players from any existing group and stopping playback from all players.

  FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an audio content distribution system 100 in which a plurality of audio players play audio content according to instructions from the controller 130. The audio player is linked in the audio distribution network 110 and can receive audio content for playback from the Internet 102 and / or the local network 150. The controller 130 includes an interface that allows a user to select audio content to play from each network audio player and optionally coordinate playback from a group of network audio players.

  The first network audio player 112 (“AP1”), the second network audio player 114 (“AP2”), and the third network audio player 116 (“AP3”) are networked in the audio distribution network 110. Each of the audio players 112 to 116 is configured to output audio content (e.g., emit sound waves) in accordance with an instruction 131 from the controller 130. Accordingly, the audio players 112-116 emit a communication interface for interacting with the audio distribution network 110, an amplifier for generating an electrical drive signal based on the audio content (as indicated by the instruction 131), and the player. And a speaker for generating generated sound waves. The instructions 131 can be transmitted wirelessly (eg, via a wireless network or a wired network) to the audio distribution network 110 and / or communicated via a wire (eg, via a cable connected to the controller 130). it can.

  In some examples, network audio players 112-116 receive a data stream of audio content (eg, web streaming audio) and generate an electrical signal associated with the audio content. A built-in speaker can be driven to generate sound waves based on the received data stream using electrical signals. In some examples, the network audio players 112-116 can output electrical signals to external amplifiers and / or external speakers over an audio cable, and the external amplifiers and / or external speakers can then output these electrical signals. Sound waves can be generated according to In some examples, the network audio player has audio content that is stored or delivered locally (e.g., locally stored digital audio or an audio input jack of one of the network audio players 112-116). Sound waves based on the audio content received via

  Instructions 131 from controller 130 can specify the source of audio content to be played on each of audio players 112-116, and then the specified audio player 112-116 and / or audio content is specified. The source queries the specified stream of audio content and delivers it to the respective audio players 112-116 via the audio distribution network 110, the Internet 102, and / or the local network 150, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the instructions 131 can include a stream of audio content that is to be played on one or more of the audio players 112-116. These streams are, for example, audio content streams that are stored locally on the controller 130 or streamed from the Internet 102. In some cases, the instruction 131 may also specify that some or all of the audio players 112-116 are grouped together for synchronized playback. In a synchronized playback scenario, the synchronization signal can be provided from the controller 130, from one of the audio players 112-116, a combination thereof, etc., and a designated portion of the buffered stream of audio content Playback starts. Other techniques for synchronizing audio playback from multiple players can also be used. Although the audio distribution network 110 is shown having three audio players 112-116, this is for illustrative purposes only, and embodiments of the system 100 are two, four, five, six, etc. Audio distribution systems having more or less than three audio players.

  The audio distribution network 110 can include both wired and wireless communication interfaces. Access point 120 may be a router and / or bridge that allows audio distribution network 110 to access Internet 102, controller 130, and / or local network 150. Audio distribution network 110 may be configured with any network topology sufficient to allow communication of instructions 131 and delivery of audio data streams to audio players 112-116. For example, the audio distribution network 110 can be configured by a peer-to-peer mesh communication between the audio players 112 to 116, a hub-and-spoke configuration centering on the access point 120 and the like. In some examples, the audio players 112-116 can also serve as wireless signal repeaters that extend the coverage of the audio distribution network 110 and / or the local network 150.

  The local network 150 includes a personal computer 152, a networked attached storage device 154 (“NAS”), and a communication module 156 for digitizing and streaming audio content from the receiver 160. The communication module 156 can receive the output audio content from the receiver 160 and dynamically generate a digital representation of the audio content. The communication module 156 can also include a network interface and a memory for buffering digital audio content to be communicated to the local network 150. In some embodiments, the communication module 156 and the receiver 160 are implemented in a single audio player hardware module that is configured to stream audio content to the local network 150 and / or the audio distribution network 110. The personal computer 152 can also provide digitized audio content to the local network 150 from an internal flash memory and / or hard drive, or from a medium such as a compact disc within the personal computer 152. Furthermore, a digital audio content can be provided from the peripheral device 153 to the local network 150 by connecting a peripheral device 153 such as a USB-connected flash memory device or an external hard drive to the personal computer 152. Further, similar peripheral devices that store digital audio content may be connected to one or more of the audio players 112-116 (eg, via connection ports provided on the audio players 112-116). it can. The network attached storage 154 may be a local server or a networked hard drive that stores digital audio content enabled for use by the local network 150.

  The receiver 160 can output audio content from various sources. For example, the receiver 160 can include a satellite radio antenna for receiving satellite radio streaming content from the satellite source 166. The receiver 156 can receive audio content from a physical medium 164 such as a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a cassette tape, or a vinyl disc. The receiver 160 may also receive audio content from the amplitude and / or frequency modulated wireless broadcast 162. Other sources of audio content, including non-digital sources (eg, analog sources) may be received via receiver 160 and made available to local network 150 via communication module 156.

  Although the local network 150 has been described and described in the context of a single personal computer 152, a single network attached storage 154, and a single communication module 156 with the receiver 160, this configuration is not described. It is provided for purposes only and the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, a plurality of personal computers, a plurality of network attached storages, and / or a plurality of communication modules with a receiver can be included in the local network 150. Further, none of these items are required to reside in the local network 150. For example, local network 150 need not include even a single personal computer 152, not even a single network attached storage device 154, and so forth.

  The controller 130 communicates with the local network 150 and the audio distribution network 110. Controller 130 may be included in local network 150 and / or audio distribution network 110. That is, the controller 130 can be a member of the local network 150, the audio distribution network 110, or both. The controller 130 can also communicate with the Internet 102 directly or via the access point 120. The controller 130 includes a user interface that allows browsing and / or searching for available sources of audio content and selecting a player in the audio distribution network 110 to play the selected audio content. For example, a browse and / or search menu may allow selection of audio content available on the local network 150 (eg, from a personal computer 152, network attached storage 154, receiver 160). The controller 130 can be further configured to allow selection of one or more sound sources for playback via one or more of the audio players 112-116 in the audio distribution network 110. For example, the controller 130 may play a music file stored on the network connection storage 154 via the first audio player 112 while the web streaming type audio content is the second audio player 114 and the third audio. Instructions to be played through both players 116 can be provided to the audio distribution network 110. In some embodiments, the controller 130 may also provide instructions for synchronizing playback between audio players that provide the same audio content. Such a synchronization command can include, for example, sending a timing signal that indicates when to start playing a predetermined buffered portion of the audio content from all players. Communication signals between the controller 130 and the network audio players 112-116 (e.g., via the audio distribution network 110) can be used for audio distribution networks such as intermittent status updates, current status queries, information requests, acknowledgment receipts, etc. Note that multiple standardized communications useful for tracking player status at 110 can be included.

  Thus, the local network 150 provides a source of audio content that will be played via one or more of the audio players 112-116 in the audio distribution network 110. However, other sources of audio content can be used in addition to or instead of the local network 150. For example, web-streaming audio content can be delivered directly from the Internet 102 to the audio distribution network 110 via the access point 120 without including any of the audio content sources present in the local network 150. Web-streaming audio content can include, for example, subscription-based services that provide access to music catalogs, privately held collections of cloud-hosted digital audio content, and the like. In another example, audio content may be delivered to the audio distribution network 110 from audio content that is stored locally and / or dynamically rendered by the controller 130. In another example, the audio content is from audio content stored locally on one of the audio players 112-116, or an analog source of audio content connected to one of the audio players 112-116, or It can be delivered to the audio distribution network 110 from a digital source. Thus, some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented without the local network 150, such as when content is delivered to the audio distribution network 110 from sources other than the local network 150.

  Various network topologies can be used to connect networked components within system 100. In some examples, the system 100 can include both an audio distribution network 110 and a local network 150, as shown in FIG. 1A. In other examples, the system 100 can be implemented using a single network. For example, a network audio player can join the local network 150. Additionally or alternatively, a network audio content source (eg, personal computer 152) can participate in the audio distribution network 110.

  FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of a controller 130 that includes a touch-sensitive display user interface 132. The controller 130 includes a user interface 132 for receiving user input. The processor 136 instructs the user interface 132 to provide information to the user and receives an indication of user input. The network interface 138 allows the controller 130 to send and receive information to and from external sources such as the Internet 102, the audio distribution network 110, and / or the local network 150. The network interface 138 is a wireless communication (eg, a network configured according to such a standard network, 3G and / or including subgroups and updates of the IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.20 standards). 4G cellular network, etc.) and / or wired communication that enables communication of instructions 131 to the audio distribution network 110 can be used.

  The processor 136 is also in communication with a memory 140 that stores executable instructions 144. Memory 140 includes, but is not limited to, a magnetic disk, optical disk, organic memory, and any other volatile storage system (eg, RAM) or non-volatile storage system (eg, ROM) readable by processor 136. A non-primary computer readable medium that can. The memory 140 may optionally store local audio content 142 and / or a current configuration 143 for audio playback via the audio distribution network 110. Local audio content 142 may provide an additional source of audio content for playback in audio distribution network 110. The current configuration for audio playback 143 may indicate audio content being played from each of the audio players 112-116 within the audio distribution network 110. Additionally or alternatively, the current configuration 143 for audio playback is audio for coordinated playback of common audio content, such as synchronized playback from two or more of the audio players 112-116. Groups between players 112-116 can be shown. In some examples, data indicative of the current audio playback configuration is alternatively or additionally stored externally (eg, on the local network 150 and / or the audio distribution network 110) and the controller 130 is configured with the network interface 138. Can be made accessible via

  The user interface 132 includes a touch-sensitive display 134 for displaying information to the user and receiving touch input and / or gesture input. Touch-sensitive display 134 may comprise a display panel having an array of pixels configured to emit, transmit and / or reflect light according to display information (eg, display drive signals). Such a display panel is not limited to a specific display technology, and may include, for example, a liquid crystal element, an organic light emitting diode element, and the like. The display panel can also include a detection system that senses contact with the panel to detect touch input, and the detection system can optionally be integrated with the display panel. Such detection systems are not limited to a particular technology, for example, capacitive detection arrays that sense local changes in capacitance resulting from contact with and / or proximity to the display, contact with the display, and / or Or a resistance detection array that senses local changes in resistance resulting from proximity to the display, a light detection system that senses light leakage from the layers of the display panel due to deflection resulting from contact with the display, etc. it can. The touch-sensitive display 134 may take any specific form factor and any specific display technology as long as the display and associated and / or integrated touch-sensitive system function to detect touch input to the display. And / or including touch detection technology is not required. The user interface 132 may optionally include additional user input components and / or interface components such as buttons, dials, indicator lights, voice prompts, voice commands, infrared receive ports, and the like.

  Executable instructions 144 executed by processor 136 are stored in memory 140. Executable instructions 144 allow controller 130 to search / browse available audio content as described above, and select audio content to play over audio distribution network 110 according to a user-configured configuration. One or more software implementation modules may be included for operating the controller 130 to function. The controller 130 controls audio playback (eg, a play command to start playback, a pause or stop command to interrupt playback, a fast-forward command and a winding to skip a song or jump to a different part of the track). It can also be configured to control audio playback through one or more network audio players by providing a return command or the like.

  An audio content search / browse module 149 is provided that allows searching and selecting audio content available on the local network 150, the Internet 102, locally stored audio content 142, and the like. Audio content from the Internet 102 can be associated with a subscribed audio streaming service, and the audio content search / browse module can optionally store user passwords for such services, from such providers. An integrated user interface for content can be enabled. Audio content from the Internet 102 can also include wireless streams delivered by the Internet, audio files residing on a server not connected to the local network 150, and the like. Gesture recognition module 145 detects and identifies gesture inputs received via touch-sensitive display 134. For example, the gesture recognition module 145 can detect a drag gesture or swipe gesture and output an indication of the start and end points of the drag gesture on the touch-sensitive display 134. Gesture recognition module 145 optionally includes a “squeeze” gesture in which two or more touch points (eg, fingers) touch the touch-sensitive display 134 and move toward each other, and / or two or more touch points (eg, A multi-touch gesture, such as a “spread” gesture, in which a finger) touches the touch-sensitive display 134 and moves away can be detected.

  The playback configuration display module 146 provides a display command (for example, a display drive signal) to the touch-sensitive display 134. The display can be driven to draw a representation of an available audio player (eg, audio players 112-116) to indicate the current configuration for audio playback. For example, each audio player may be represented as an icon with a text label that identifies the audio player and the audio content currently playing on the audio player and / or a visually distinct border surrounding the image. For audio players grouped together for synchronized playback, the playback configuration display module 146 provides a display command that causes the display panel to draw a visually distinct border that surrounds the representation of all audio players in the group. Can be provided. Text labels and / or images can be included within the boundaries indicating the group to label the group and identify any audio content currently playing on the audio players in the group. Additionally or alternatively, grouped audio player representations can coordinate colors according to their group membership or allow the user to interpret the group membership of players 112-116 Can be visually shown in another way.

  The play command / synchronization module 147 generates a command 131 for one or more of the audio players 112-116 in the audio distribution network 110 to cause the audio players to play the audio content according to the current audio play configuration 143. To do. The instructions 131 can communicate with the audio distribution network 110 and / or the local network 150 via the network interface 138. The instruction 131 from the play instruction / synchronization module 147 may include an indication of the audio content that is to be played by each audio player in the audio distribution network 110. For example, the instructions 131 may indicate the audio file (or series of audio files) to play, the location (s) of the file on the local network 150 and / or the Internet 102, and so forth. Instruction 131 may also synchronize playback between audio players in the group. For example, the instructions 131 can include a timing signal for each player in the group to start playing the audio file or play the identified buffered portion of the streaming audio file. However, other techniques for commanding synchronized playback can also be used.

  The playback configuration update module 148 receives the indication of the gesture detected / identified via the gesture recognition module 145 and associates the gesture with the modified configuration for audio playback. A modified configuration for audio playback may include creating a new group, deleting an existing group, and / or reviewing membership in an existing group. For example, a gesture that drags a representation of one audio player to another audio player can be associated with an instruction to form a new group from the dragging audio player and the dragged audio player. In another example, the gesture of dragging a grouped audio player representation out of the group can be associated with a user instruction to remove the dragging audio player from the group. Further examples of gestures that can be associated with a configuration for audio playback are discussed herein in connection with FIGS. When module 148 identifies a new and changed configuration of audio playback, the current audio playback configuration 143 indication is updated to reflect the change, and playback command / synchronization module 147 may A command for reflecting the changed configuration is generated for the network 110.

  According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration for audio playback, including membership in a group for synchronous playback, can be dynamically configured according to gesture input from the touch-sensitive display 134. . In an exemplary operation, the audio content search / browse module 149 can be used to select audio content for playback on one or more of the audio players 112-116 within the audio distribution network 110. A playback configuration display module 146 is available on the touch-sensitive display 134 including the current configuration for audio playback (eg, any currently grouped configuration indications between the currently playing audio content and the player). List of players). The gesture recognition module 145 can detect a gesture input received via the touch-sensitive display 134. The playback configuration update module 148 can associate the gesture with a modified configuration for audio playback from the audio distribution network 110.

  For example, the playback configuration update module 148 may configure the received gesture to form a new group for synchronized playback, delete an existing group for synchronized playback, and / or review membership in an existing group. Can be associated with Next, the playback command / synchronization module 147 may generate a command 131 for playback according to the modified configuration for audio playback determined in the playback configuration update module 148. Instruction 131 may communicate to audio distribution network 110 and / or local network 150 via network interface 138 to instruct audio players 112-116 to provide audio playback according to the modified configuration. In some examples, data indicating the current configuration for audio playback is stored 143 locally in the memory 140 of the controller 130, but externally (eg, the local network 150 and / or the audio distribution network). Memory located on 110), and controller 130 may be accessible via network interface 138. Next, the playback configuration display module 146 may cause the display panel to depict the changed configuration for audio playback, reflecting any changes in audio content and / or groups for synchronized playback.

  The software implementation module is described separately for each function for convenience of description. However, it should be noted that one or more of the separately described modules can be combined together into a single executable code instruction set. Similarly, any software module can be divided into separate executable code instruction sets, and these executable code instruction sets can be combined together to provide the functionality described. Further, it should be noted that at least some of the functions described herein as software implementations can be performed by hardware components such as logic based circuits.

  The controller 130 can be implemented in various form factors. In some instances, the controller 130 is an application (eg, software) that runs on a handheld computing device, such as a phone, portable digital music player, tablet computing device, or other handheld computing platform with wireless network connectivity. Can be implemented as In some embodiments, the controller 130 can be implemented as a stand-alone dedicated computing device (eg, hardware) with a touch-sensitive display user interface. In some embodiments, the controller 130 is a computer that is not configured to be handheld and / or portable, such as a module having a touch-sensitive display user interface wired to provide power and network connectivity. Can be implemented in a storage device.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process 200 for selectively grouping audio players to provide coordinated audio content according to a playback configuration indicated by a gesture. Touch-sensitive display 134 is instructed to draw a representation of a network audio player showing the current playback configuration (202). A display command (eg, a display drive signal) can be generated by, for example, the playback configuration display module 146. Drawing the current playback configuration is a representation for each available audio player (or a subset of the available audio players) configured to show the audio content playing in each group and any group between players. Can be included. Each audio player can be associated with a non-overlapping area of the display panel, and the area associated with each audio player can optionally be surrounded by a visually distinct border. The region can include text and / or images that associate the region of the display with a particular audio player.

  Data indicating a gesture input to the touch-sensitive display is received (204). This data can be provided, for example, by the gesture recognition module 145. The data includes the gestures received via the touch-sensitive display, such as the path that the swipe or drag gesture follows on the touch-sensitive display 134 and / or information characterizing the speed of any such swipe or drag. Contains information to identify. The data can also indicate multi-touch gestures such as pinch, squeeze, spread, enlarge, minimize, tap.

  Data indicating the received gesture is associated with the playback configuration indicated by the gesture (206). The association with the playback configuration can be executed by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. In some embodiments, the drag gesture is used to move the audio player into or out of the group for synchronized playback. Individual audio players can be associated with separate non-overlapping areas of the touch-sensitive display, and the audio players can be dynamically grouped (or removed from the group) according to the start and end points of the drag gesture. it can. The starting point of the drag gesture can be the first contact point with a single touch point on the touch-sensitive display 134. The end point of the drag gesture can be the last touch point after a substantially continuous touch as a single touch point is swiped across the touch-sensitive display. Each origin and endpoint can be associated with either an audio player or a group of audio players. In some embodiments, these two players are grouped together for coordinated (“synchronized”) playback by a drag gesture that drags an ungrouped audio player to another audio player. In some embodiments, a drag gesture that drags an ungrouped player to an existing group adds the original player to that group. In some embodiments, a player is removed from the group by a drag gesture that drags the grouped player out of the group. An example of associating a gesture with a modified playback configuration is described herein in connection with FIGS.

  The audio player is instructed to provide audio playback according to the playback configuration indicated by the gesture (208). The command 131 can be generated by the playback command / synchronization module 147, for example. Touch-sensitive display 134 is instructed to draw a representation of a network audio player showing the playback configuration indicated by the gesture (210). Similar to block 202, a display command (eg, a display drive signal) can be generated by the playback configuration display module 146, for example. The drawing provided in block 210 may include a change in the configuration of each audio player's representation to reflect the configuration indicated by the gesture for audio playback, including any updates of group membership, etc. it can.

  As discussed herein, a drag (“swipe”) gesture is characterized according to the origin location and end location of the gesture on the touch-sensitive display 134. When a touch-sensitive display draws a representation of available audio in a separate area of the display panel, the origin and end points can each be associated with an available audio player and / or group of audio players. For this reason, in the present disclosure, the audio player associated with the starting position of the drag gesture is referred to as a “drag source audio player”. Similarly, the present disclosure refers to an audio player associated with a drag gesture end point as a “drag destination audio player”. Still further, for purposes of explanation, when the present disclosure states that an audio player is dragged to another audio player, a drag gesture occurs at a display position associated with one audio player and is associated with another audio player. Represents an operation that ends at the position of the display.

  FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for creating a group with a touch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identified as dragging a first ungrouped network audio player to a second network audio player (302). The drag gesture can be identified and associated with the first ungrouped network audio player and the second ungrouped network audio player, for example by the playback configuration update module 148. The starting location and the ending location of the drag gesture can be associated with separate areas of the touch-sensitive display associated with the first network audio player and the second network audio player, respectively. A group including a first network audio player and a second network audio player may be formed for synchronized playback (304), which may also be implemented, for example, by the playback configuration update module 148. Data indicating the updated configuration (143) for audio playback may be stored in memory 140 or another location accessible by controller 130. Audio playback from the first network audio player and the second network audio player in the new group is synchronized (306) with previously played audio in the first audio player. For this reason, the audio content in the first player can be extended to the second player. In some embodiments, the program settings allow audio content that is played synchronously in the new group to be audio content that has been previously played in the second audio player. Additionally or alternatively, user prompts can be generated that allow selection of audio content for playback in the new group.

  FIG. 3B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display with superimposed gesture indicators illustrating an example of a process for creating a group. Screenshot 311 depicts a representation of multiple audio players each associated with a separate audio zone (eg, a home room or outdoor listening area). Screenshot 311 also includes an audio control mechanism that includes a mute button 332, a volume control bar 334, and a pause button 336. Audio control mechanisms are provided for illustrative purposes only, and some embodiments of the present disclosure may optionally provide more or less audio control mechanisms, or none at all.

  In the exemplary embodiment provided for illustrative purposes, there are six separately controllable audio players, each associated with a separate audio zone in the house. The kitchen listening zone is represented by a display area (320) surrounded by a visually distinct boundary. The kitchen area 320 also includes an image icon 320a, which may be an image of the kitchen room or optionally another user-selected image associated with the kitchen. A text room identifier 320b labels area 320 as "kitchen" and a sound source identifier 320c labels a sound source for playback as "satellite radio station". Identifiers 320a and 320b allow the user to associate display area 320 with a network audio player in the kitchen, and identifier 320c indicates the current playback sound source in that audio player. Additional rooms and substantially separate acoustic areas are represented by family room area 322, pouch area 324, deck area 326, pool area 328 and terrace area 330. In the example provided, some of the rooms are not currently playing audio content, as indicated by the absence of a sound source indicator, for example in the pouch area 324 and the terrace area 330. Regions 320-330 representing each of the available audio players allow the user to associate the region within each boundary with a room indicated by text and / or image indicators (eg, indicators 320a, 320b). , Can be defined by visually distinct boundaries that do not overlap.

  Furthermore, a gesture indicator indicating a drag gesture is included. The origin pointer 340 indicates a single touch point on the touch-sensitive display 134 in the deck area 326. The touch point indicated by the start point pointer 340 is the start location of the drag gesture, is dragged along the path 342 and ends at the end point location indicated by the end point pointer 344. The endpoint location is a single touch point on the touch-sensitive display 134 in the pool area 328. Therefore, gesture indicators 340 to 344 indicate a drag gesture that occurs in the deck area 326 and ends in the pool area 328.

  Gesture indicators 340-344 (and similar gesture indicators described elsewhere herein) are provided for illustrative purposes only and limit any form of gesture input that can be interpreted by system 100 in any way. Note that it does not. For example, the start pointer 340 and the end pointer 344 are shown as a right hand with the index finger extended, but the actual gesture can be entered, for example, with the user's left hand ring finger, and the path 342 is generally straight. The actual gesture path can have multiple curves and even loops. That is, touch gesture indicators 340-344 indicate a drag gesture that includes a single touch point (indicated by a single extended finger) having an origin 326 in the deck area 326 and an end location in the pool area 328. ing.

  The drag gesture indicated by the indicators 340 to 344 is detected by the gesture detection module 145. The playback configuration update module 148 associates the gesture with creating a new group that includes network audio players in the deck and pool. The playback command / synchronization module 147 generates a command 131 for the deck audio player and the pool audio player to play back the audio content that has been played before in the deck audio player (drag source player) in synchronization. Alternatively, this procedure generates instructions 131 for the deck audio player and the pool audio player to synchronously play the audio content previously played in the pool audio player (destination player). Can be executed. The behavior of selecting whether to play previously played audio content on the dragged player or to play previously played audio content on the dragged player is a user adjustable setting, dynamic It can be set according to the user prompt generated.

  FIG. 3C is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after creating a group as shown in FIG. 3B. Screen shot 312 shows the display after the group is created. A deck audio player and a pool audio player are represented by a deck area 352 and a pool area 354, respectively. The deck area 352 and the pool area 354 each include a visually distinct border surrounded by the outdoor group area 350. The outdoor group area 350 represents a newly formed group according to the gesture shown in FIG. 3B. The outdoor group area includes a text identifier 350a and a sound source indicator 350b that allow a user to associate the group area 350 with a group that includes both a deck and a pool to identify the audio content being played within the group. Including. In some examples, one or more images showing groups and / or sound sources may be included, such as album covers, logos associated with audio streams, and the like. Outdoor group area 350 optionally includes visually distinct boundaries that can completely surround the boundaries of deck area 352 and pool area 354, and group 350 includes both deck audio players and pool audio players. This is shown visually.

  FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a process 400 for adding an audio player to a group with a touch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identified as dragging a first ungrouped network audio player into a group (402). The drag gesture can be identified and associated with the first ungrouped network audio player and the second ungrouped network audio player, for example by the playback configuration update module 148. The starting location and ending location of the drag gesture can be associated with a separate area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the first audio player and group, respectively. The first audio player is added to the group (404), which can also be implemented by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. Data indicating the updated configuration (143) for audio playback may be stored in memory 140 or another location accessible by controller 130. Audio playback from the supplemented group is synchronized (406) with previously played audio in the group. In some embodiments, program settings may allow audio content that is played synchronously in the supplemented group to be audio content that has been previously played in the dragged audio player. Additionally or alternatively, user prompts can be generated that allow selection of audio content for playback in the supplemented group.

  FIG. 4B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface overlaid with gesture indicators illustrating an example process for adding players to a group. Screen shot 411 shows group region 350 described above in connection with FIG. 3C. Gesture indicators 420-424 indicate a drag gesture that occurs in the pouch area 324 and ends in the group area 350. The origin pointer 420 indicates that a drag gesture occurs at a single touch point in the pouch area 324, and the end pointer 424 indicates that the drag gesture ends at a single touch point in the outdoor group area 350. . Path 422 indicates that the drag gesture starts in the pouch area 324 and ends in the outdoor group area 350.

  The drag gesture indicated by the indicators 420 to 424 is detected by the gesture detection module 145. The playback configuration update module 148 associates the gesture with adding a network audio player in the pouch to a previously formed group that includes a deck audio player and a pool audio player. The playback instruction / synchronization module 147 instructs the pouch audio player, the deck audio player, and the pool audio player to synchronously play the audio content that has been played in the group (deck audio player and pool audio player). 131 is generated.

  FIG. 4C is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after adding players to the group as shown in FIG. 4B. Screenshot 412 shows the display after the pouch audio player is added to the group. The enlarged outdoor group area 430 includes visually distinct boundaries that surround the representation of the players in the group. The text group identifier 430a and the sound source identifier 430b allow the user to associate the expanded group area 430 with the outdoor group of audio players and identify the audio content being played on the players in the group. The pouch audio player is represented by a pouch area 432, and the deck audio player and the pool audio player are represented by a deck area 434 and a pool area 436, respectively. In some examples, one or more images showing groups and / or sound sources may be included, such as album covers, logos associated with audio streams, and the like. Outdoor group area 430 optionally includes visually distinct boundaries that can completely surround the boundaries of pouch area 432, deck area 434, and pool area 436 to visually indicate outdoor group membership. .

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process 500 for joining all available players to a single group via a touch-sensitive display user interface. The gesture is identified as a squeeze gesture or a pinch gesture (502). Gesture recognition module 145 can identify squeeze or pinch gestures based on two or more touch points that are initially separate but move generally together on touch-sensitive display 134. For example, touching the display with the thumb and one or more fingers apart and then making the thumb and one or more fingers contact the touch-sensitive display 134 substantially continuously. You can gather those fingers together. A squeeze gesture can be identified and associated with combining all available audio players into a single group, for example by the playback configuration update module 148. All available players are combined to form a group (504). This can also be implemented by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. Generating a single group of all available players can optionally include deleting any existing group. Data indicating the updated configuration (143) for audio playback may be stored in memory 140 or another location accessible by controller 130. Audio playback from the created single group is synchronized (506). In some cases, the audio content that is played on all players in a single group is the audio content that has been previously played on the most recently selected player (eg, the active player). In some embodiments, the most recently selected player (“active player”) is displayed at the top (or other predetermined location) of the list of available audio players on the touch-sensitive display. Can be a player. The most recently selected player may additionally or alternatively be the most recently selected player to adjust the volume of audio content for playback and / or select a source. Additionally or alternatively, user prompts can be generated that allow selection of audio content for playback in a created group of all available players.

  FIG. 5B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface overlaid with a squeeze gesture indicator, illustrating an example process for joining all available players to a single group. Screenshot 511 shows a representation of the available audio players 320-330. Gesture indicators 520 and 522 indicate squeeze gestures. An outstretched hand 520 shows the initial part of the squeeze gesture, with the hand open and having multiple contact points with the display. Closed hand 522 shows the final part of the squeeze gesture, with the hand closed and fingers touching the display being gathered together. The squeeze gesture can be detected by the gesture detection module 145, for example. For example, the playback configuration update module 148 may associate a gesture with a configuration in which all players are grouped together for synchronized play. A single group can be formed that includes all available players, and the updated group membership indication can be stored in memory 140 or another accessible location (143). Players in the new group (ie, all available players) play the same audio content synchronously from each player (eg, by instruction 131 generated by playback instruction / synchronization module 147).

  FIG. 5C is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after grouping all available players as shown in FIG. 5B. Screenshot 512 shows the display after forming a single group. The display includes a group area 530 having visually distinct borders surrounding non-overlapping areas associated with each of the audio players in the group. Kitchen area 532 is associated with the kitchen audio player, family room area 534 is associated with the family room audio player, pouch area 536 is associated with the pouch audio player, deck area 538 is associated with the deck audio player, and pool area 540 is Associated with the pool audio player, the terrace area 542 is associated with the terrace audio player. The all player group area 530 includes a text indicator 530a and a sound source indicator 530b for labeling the group and indicating the sound source being played by the players in the group. Engaging all available audio players for synchronized playback of a common audio content source as described in connection with FIGS. 5B and 5C can be referred to as a “party mode”.

  FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a process 600 for individually removing players from a group via a touch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identified as dragging a grouped network audio player to an area of the display that is not associated with the group (602). A drag gesture can be identified and associated with the grouped audio players, for example by the playback configuration update module 148. The starting location and the ending location of the drag gesture can be associated with separate areas of the touch-sensitive display area associated with the first audio player and areas not associated with the group, respectively. The first audio player is removed from the group (604). This can also be implemented by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. Data indicating the updated configuration (143) for audio playback may be stored in memory 140 or another location accessible by controller 130. Audio playback from the removed player is stopped (606). Even after the first audio player is removed, if the reviewed group includes multiple audio players, playback of the remaining players can continue without interruption. If the reviewed group contains a single audio player after the first audio player has been removed, playback of the remaining players can continue uninterrupted or can stop. In some embodiments, the user-adjustable program settings or dynamically generated user prompts can cause the audio content in the remaining players to stop or continue uninterrupted.

  FIG. 6B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example process for individually removing players from a group. Screen shot 611 shows the group region 350 described above in connection with FIG. 3C. Gesture indicators 620-624 indicate a drag gesture that occurs in the deck area 352 and ends at a location outside the group area 350. The origin pointer 624 indicates that a drag gesture occurs at a single touch point in the deck area 352. The deck area itself is surrounded by the group area 350. The end pointer 620 indicates that the drag gesture ends at a single touch point that is not in the group area 350 (eg, a location outside the visually distinct boundary of the group area 350). Path 622 indicates that the drag gesture starts within the deck area 352 and ends outside the group area 350.

  The drag gesture indicated by the indicators 620 to 624 is detected by the gesture detection module 145. The playback configuration update module 148 associates the gesture with removing the network audio player in the deck from the group including the deck audio player and the pool audio player. Since only the pool audio player is left by removing the deck audio player, the playback configuration update module 148 can then delete the outdoor group. The play command / synchronization module 147 may generate a command 131 to stop playback in the deck audio player and pool audio player, which is communicated to the deck audio player and pool audio player. Instruction 131 can optionally specify that playback continues in one or both of the deck audio player or the pool audio player without interruption, as specified by user settings and / or user prompts.

  FIG. 6C is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating another example of a process for individually removing players from a group. Screenshot 612 shows group region 350 described above in connection with FIG. 3C. Gesture indicators 630-634 indicate a swipe gesture that occurs on one side of the deck area 352 and moves across the deck area 352 to cause the removal button 640 to appear. Origin pointer 630 indicates that a swipe gesture occurs at a single touch point on one side of deck area 352. End pointer 634 indicates that the swipe gesture ends at a single touch point closer to the opposite side of deck area 352. Path 632 indicates that the swipe gesture moves from left to right and is substantially contained within the deck area (eg, swipe gesture path 632 does not travel significantly outside the boundary of deck area 352).

  The swipe gesture indicated by the indicators 630-634 is detected by the gesture detection module 145. When the swipe gesture is recognized, a remove button 640 appears. In some embodiments, the remove button 640 can only appear for a set duration after recognition of the swipe gesture. If the remove button is pressed, the playback configuration update module 148 associates the swipe gesture and subsequent press of the remove button 640 with an instruction to remove the network audio player in the deck from the group including the deck audio player and the pool audio player. . Since only the pool audio player is left by removing the deck audio player, the playback configuration update module 148 can then delete the outdoor group. The play command / synchronization module 147 may generate a command 131 to stop playback in the deck audio player and pool audio player, which is communicated to the deck audio player and pool audio player. Instruction 131 can optionally specify that playback continues in one or both of the deck audio player or the pool audio player without interruption, as specified by user settings and / or user prompts.

  FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a process 700 for destroying all existing groups via a touch-sensitive display user interface. The gesture is identified as a spreading gesture (702). Gesture recognition module 145 can identify gestures to spread based on two or more touch points that are initially together on touch-sensitive display 134 but move generally away. For example, touching the display with the thumb and one or more fingers together, and then disjointing the thumb and one or more fingers in substantially continuous contact with the touch-sensitive display 134. Can be spread. A spreading gesture can be identified and associated with removing all players from any existing group and / or deleting any existing group and stopping playback from all players. This association can be performed by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. All existing groups are deleted (704). This can also be implemented by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. Data indicating the updated configuration for audio playback (143) may be stored in memory 140 or another location accessible to controller. Audio playback from all players is stopped (706) by providing appropriate instructions 131 to the audio player, eg, via a playback command / sync module 147.

  FIG. 7B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface superimposed with a spread gesture indicator, illustrating an example process of destroying all existing groups. In some embodiments, the spreading gesture may cause all players to be separate when all players are in a single group (eg, party mode discussed above in connection with FIG. 5). Can be used to delete a single group. Screenshot 711 shows a representation of the available audio players arranged in all player groups. The all player group area 530 contains an indication of all available players. Gesture indicators 720 and 722 indicate gestures for spreading. Closed hand 720 shows the initial portion of the gesture to spread, and the hand is closed with multiple points of contact with the display. The open hand 722 shows the final part of the gesture to spread, the hand is open and the finger touching the display is moving away. The spreading gesture can be detected by the gesture detection module 145, for example. For example, the playback configuration update module 148 can associate a gesture with a configuration in which all existing groups are deleted and all playback is stopped. The party group, including all available players, is deleted, and the updated playback configuration indication can be stored in memory 140 or another accessible location (143). Playback from each audio player can be stopped (eg, by command 131 generated by playback command / synchronization module 147). Alternatively, if a group with all players is discarded using a spread gesture (ie, exiting party mode), playback is the single that was active when the party mode group was first formed. It can continue only in the audio player. Such active players may be, for example, the top audio player in the list of audio players on the touch-sensitive display and / or the audio player that was most recently active controlled before the party mode started (eg, the source of the audio content , An audio player whose volume is controlled most recently). For this reason, the gesture for spreading allows the audio distribution network 110 to return to the playback configuration before the start of the party mode (for example, the configuration in which the player who was most recently active is playing the audio content). Thus, the party mode group creation can be canceled by returning the system to the most recent playback configuration that precedes the party mode using a spreading gesture.

  FIG. 7C is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after destroying all existing groups as shown in FIG. 7B. Screen shot 712 shows the display after deleting all groups and stopping playback. The display includes a representation of each audio player in an unplayed state that is not grouped. Each player is represented by a separate area 730-740 of the touch-sensitive display, and there is no indication of audio content currently playing in all areas, and no audio content is being played by any of the players. It is shown that. Kitchen area 730 represents a kitchen player, family room area 732 represents a family room player, pouch area 734 represents a pouch player, deck area 736 represents a deck player, pool area 738 represents a pool player, and terrace area 740 Represents a terrace player.

  FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a process 800 for ordering players on a touch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identified as dragging the first network audio player to an area not associated with another network audio player (802). The region can be, for example, in a location between representations of available players and / or groups of players. A location can be associated with a location on the display that is suitable for drawing a representation of the display. For example, if each player is represented by a block in the matrix, the location can be associated with a position in the matrix. Where each player is represented by a horizontal bar arranged in a vertical stack, a location can be associated with a position in the vertical stack (“list”) of bars. The drag gesture can be identified and associated with the first network audio player and the location on the display, for example by the playback configuration update module 148. The starting location and ending location of the drag gesture can be associated with a separate area ("location") of the touch-sensitive display associated with the first audio player and position, respectively. The display is updated by the first audio player repositioned to the identified location (804). If the first network audio player is an ungrouped player and moving this player to a new position does not involve moving that player out of the current group, the update to the display will be Can be implemented without changing (804). In some embodiments, while the position of the first audio player is moved over the display according to process 800, audio playback can continue without interruption from all existing players according to the current playback configuration. Thus, the process 800 allows the user to selectively position the representation of the audio player on the touch-sensitive display 134 to increase accessibility and / or convenience when accessing a particular audio player. to enable. For example, a frequently used audio player can be positioned near the top of the touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the current order and / or position for each audio player representation may be stored in a memory, such as memory 140, and / or in another location accessible by controller 130 via network interface 138. it can.

  FIG. 8B is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display user interface overlaid with gesture indicators illustrating an example process for ordering players. Screenshot 811 shows a representation of the available audio players 320-330. Gesture indicators 820 to 824 indicate a drag gesture that occurs in the deck area 326 and ends at a location between the pool area 328 and the terrace area 330. The start pointer 820 indicates that a drag gesture occurs at a single touch point in the deck area 326, and the end pointer 824 is in an area where the drag gesture is located between the pool area 328 and the terrace area 330 (eg, , End at a single touch point (outside the visually distinct boundary of both the pool area 328 and the terrace area 330). A path 822 indicates the general direction of the drag gesture. However, as with the path indicator discussion above, the particular path taken between the locations indicated by pointers 820, 824 need not be straight, can be curved and / or include a turn, etc. .

  The drag gesture indicated by the indicators 820 to 824 is detected by the gesture detection module 145. The gesture is associated with positioning the deck region 326 at a position on the display associated with the end point of the drag gesture (eg, between the pool region 328 and the terrace region 330). Position indications associated with the deck area 326 and / or other areas 320-330 may be stored in memory for future reference. The playback configuration display module 146 updates the display to reflect the new position of the deck area 326 indicated by the drag gesture.

  FIG. 8C is an exemplary embodiment of a touch-sensitive display after the players are ordered as shown in FIG. 8B. Screenshot 812 shows a representation of available players 320-330 after ordering the players. The position of the deck area 326 is updated to a location between the pool area 328 and the terrace area 330 instead of between the pouch area 324 and the pool area 328 as in FIG. 8A.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process 900 for dynamically adjusting groups according to gestures detected via touch-sensitive display 134. A representation of the available player is drawn on the display panel to show the current playback configuration (902). The display command can be provided by the playback configuration display module 146, for example. The display of the current playback configuration may include an indication of audio content on each audio player and / or an indication of the group configuration between players, such as in the exemplary screenshots provided in FIGS. it can. The gesture input is detected via the touch-sensitive display 134 (904). Gestures (eg, dragging, spreading, squeezing, etc.) can be detected, identified and / or characterized, for example, by gesture detection module 145.

  The detected gesture is characterized and an action is performed to change the playback configuration according to the detected gesture. For purposes of explanation, this disclosure represents a drag gesture having an origin location within the area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the player when saying “drag the player”. Similarly, when this disclosure states "drop to player" (or "drop to group", etc.), a drag having an endpoint location within the area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the player (or group, etc.) Represents a gesture.

  The gesture is evaluated to determine if there is a change to the playback configuration based on this gesture. The evaluation can be performed by the playback configuration update module 148, for example. If the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906) to another ungrouped player (908), a new group is formed by the dragging player and the dragging player ( 910). The memory showing the current playback configuration 143 can be updated to reflect the new group. The audio content in the new group is synchronized (910). This synchronization can be performed, for example, by the play command / synchronization module 147. The audio content that is played back synchronously in the new group can be the audio content that has been played before in the dragged player. Alternatively, the audio content provided in the new group can be audio content that has been previously played in the dragged player. In some examples, program settings and / or user prompts are provided that indicate which audio content should be played back in a newly formed group. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 132 can play audio content to be played from a newly formed group, such as when audio content has not been played from either the dragged player or the dragged player. The user can be prompted to select. The synchronization process can include stopping the current playback on one or both players and allowing the selected audio content to be synchronized. The display can be updated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedure for forming a new group can be similar to the description of process 300 in connection with FIG. 3 above.

  If the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906) to an existing group (912), the dragged player is added to the dragged group (914). The indication of the current playback configuration 143 can be updated to reflect the change in group membership. The audio content in the supplemented group can be synchronized to play audio content that has already been played in the dragged-to group (eg, according to the instruction 131 generated by the playback instruction / synchronization module 147). Additionally or alternatively, the controller 130 can be configured to provide a user prompt to select audio content for the replenished group and / or drag rather than the destination group, for example It can be configured to synchronize with audio content in the original player. The display is updated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedure for replenishing a group can be similar to the description of process 400 associated with FIG. 4 above.

  If the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906) to a position (916) on the display that is not associated with a player or group (eg, between players or groups), the dragging player Can be rearranged according to the dragged location (918). The display is updated to reflect the player location change (902). In some embodiments, storing an indication of the location of each audio player representation on the display in memory (eg, another memory location accessible to memory 140 and / or controller 130 via network interface 138). Can do. Then, using a stored indication of the audio player order, such as a list order, display available audio players to preserve user preferences regarding the player order (eg, by the playback configuration display module 146). Can do. In some embodiments, commonly used audio players can be placed near the top of the list of audio players, for example, for more convenient access. The rearrangement procedure can allow the user to drag the player's representation to reorder the list of available audio players, similar to the discussion of process 800 associated with FIG. 8 above.

  The gesture includes dragging (906) an ungrouped player, but dropping to another ungrouped player (908), dropping to an existing group (912), The touch-sensitive display displays the available players and playback configurations without changing the playback configuration if not including (916) dropping to a location associated with an available relocation position between or between groups (902). For example, a drag gesture originates from an area associated with an ungrouped player (906) in a list of players, groups, or players / groups, such as a display window that provides a completely separate program. When exiting in an area of the touch sensitive display that is not associated with a position, the playback configuration is not updated and the display continues to display playback configuration information (902) and subsequent gesture detection (904).

  If the gesture includes dragging the grouped player (920) to another ungrouped player (922), the dragging player is removed from the group and the dragging player and dragged destination A new group is formed by the players (924). The memory showing the current playback configuration 143 can be updated to reflect the new group membership. After removing the drag source player, if the drag source group contains only one player, playback can be stopped on the remaining players according to the program settings and / or user prompts, without interrupting playback You can continue. If the drag source group continues to contain more than one player even after the drag source player is removed, the audio content can continue without interruption in the remaining players. The audio content in the new group is synchronized (924) (eg, according to instruction 131 generated by playback instruction / synchronization module 147) to play the audio content that has already been played on the dragging player. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 130 can be configured to provide a user prompt to select audio content for the new group and / or a drag destination, eg, not the dragging player Can be configured to synchronize with audio content in other players. The display is updated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedure for removing selectable players from the group can be similar to the process 600 discussion associated with FIG. 6 above.

  If the gesture includes dragging the grouped player (920) to another group (926), the dragging player is removed from the original group and added to the dragged group (928). The indication of the current playback configuration 143 can be updated to reflect the change in group membership. After removing the drag source player, if the drag source group contains only one player, playback can be stopped on the remaining players according to the program settings and / or user prompts, without interrupting playback You can continue. If the drag source group continues to contain more than one player even after the drag source player is removed, the audio content can continue without interruption in the remaining players. The audio content in the supplemented group can be synchronized (eg, according to the instruction 131 generated by the playback instruction / synchronization module 147) to play the audio content that has already been played on the dragged player. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 130 can be configured to provide a user prompt to select audio content for the replenished group and / or drag rather than the destination group, for example It can be configured to synchronize with audio content in the original player. The display is updated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedure for removing selectable players from the group can be similar to the process 600 discussion associated with FIG. 6 above.

  If the gesture includes dragging the grouped player (920) to a location (930) on the display that is not associated with the player or group (eg, between players or between groups), The representation can be rearranged according to the location to which it is dragged (932). The dragging player is removed from the group (932). The indication of the current playback configuration 143 can be updated to reflect the change in group membership. The display is updated to reflect changes in player location and group membership (902). The dragging player is a location in its original group, but can also be dropped at a location associated with a different location in the group area, in which case the dragging player is not removed from the group. Alternatively, the display can be updated to reflect the new order of audio player representations within the group (902). In some embodiments, the indication of the location of each audio player representation on the display may be stored in memory (memory 140 and / or another memory location accessible to controller 130 via network interface 138). it can. Then, using a stored indication of the audio player order, such as a list order, display available audio players to preserve user preferences regarding the player order (eg, by the playback configuration display module 146). Can do. In some embodiments, commonly used audio players can be placed near the top of the list of audio players, for example, for more convenient access. The rearrangement procedure can allow the user to drag the player's representation to reorder the list of available audio players, similar to the discussion of process 800 associated with FIG. 8 above.

  Gestures include dragging a grouped player (920), but dropping to another ungrouped player (922) or dropping to another group (926) Or, if not including dropping (930) in a location associated with an available relocation position between groups, the touch-sensitive display displays the available players and playback configurations without changing the playback configuration. Continue (902). For example, drag gestures originate from an area associated with a grouped player (920) and position in a player, group, or player / group list, such as a display window that provides a completely separate program When exiting in an area of the touch-sensitive display that is not associated with, the playback configuration is not updated and the display continues to display playback configuration information (902) and subsequent gesture detection (904).

  If the gesture includes a squeeze or pinch gesture (934), all available players are grouped into a single group and playback from all players is synchronized (936). If the playback configuration before detecting a squeeze gesture includes one or more groups, those groups will automatically be created to allow the creation of a new single group that enlists all available players. Can be deleted. The audio content provided synchronously by the new group may be the audio content provided in the most recently selected audio player or group. Of course, additionally or alternatively, the user interface 132 can be configured to provide a user prompt to select audio content for the new group. Thus, a squeeze gesture or pinch gesture can provide a single gesture input that enlists all available audio players to play back common audio content in “party mode” synchronously. The display is updated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedure for grouping all players using a squeeze or pinch gesture can be similar to the process 500 discussion associated with FIG. 5 above.

  If the gesture includes a spreading gesture (938), all existing groups are deleted and playback from all players is stopped (940). With the spread gesture detected (938), all available players are ungrouped and no music is played. Thus, the spreading gesture can provide a single gesture input that turns off all music being played and resets the playback configuration of all available audio players to ungrouped. The display is updated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedure for ungrouping all players by a spreading gesture can be similar to the process 700 discussion associated with FIG. 7 above.

  In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user interface with a touch-sensitive display provides an interface that allows a user to dynamically configure a playback configuration for a group of network audio players. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, with a single gesture input such as a drag gesture, a spread gesture, a squeeze gesture, a pinch gesture, etc., the system 100 forms a group for synchronized playback using selectable members. Adding selectable players to an existing group, removing selectable players from an existing group, joining all players to a single group, removing all players from an existing group Can be done. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides efficient management of playback configuration in a network audio distribution system.

  In addition, the representation of available players can be displayed substantially continuously by providing group formation and / or editing through a single display screen of available players showing group membership. Groups can be created and / or edited without requiring additional menus to appear on the touch-sensitive display 134. Such an efficient system for playback configuration management based on a single gesture is in contrast to a system with multiple submenus. For example, the multi-step system may require that the user first select a player to be a member of the group from the first window, thereby listing new players that join the first player. Window opens and the multi-step system can request that the user then select a player to join from among the players, and the multi-step system then allows the view to select audio content, etc. Return to.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a computer readable medium configured in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary system includes one or more processors, one or more forms of memory, one or more input devices / interfaces, and one or more output devices / Interfaces and machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to perform the various functions, tasks, capabilities, etc. described above.

  As described above, in some embodiments, the disclosed techniques are computer programs encoded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a machine-readable format, or on other non-transitory media or articles of manufacture. It can be implemented by instructions (eg, executable instructions 144 stored in memory 140 of controller 130). FIG. 10 illustrates a partial conceptual diagram of an exemplary computer program product that includes a computer program for performing a computer process on a computing device, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments presented herein. FIG.

  In one embodiment, an exemplary computer program product 1000 that uses a signal bearing medium 1002 is provided. The signal bearing medium 1002 includes one or more programming instructions 1004 that, when executed by one or more processors, can provide the functions or portions of functions described above with respect to FIGS. be able to. In some examples, signal bearing medium 1002 may be, but is not limited to, a computer readable medium 1006 such as a hard disk drive, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), digital tape, memory, or the like. In some implementations, the signal bearing medium 1002 can be, but is not limited to, a computer recordable medium 1008 such as memory, read / write (R / W) CD, R / W DVD, and the like. In some implementations, the signal bearing medium 1002 is a communication medium 1010 such as, but not limited to, a digital and / or analog communication medium (eg, fiber optic cable, waveguide, wired communication link, wireless communication link, etc.). be able to. Thus, for example, the signal holding medium 1002 can be transmitted by the wireless communication medium 1010.

  The one or more programming instructions 1004 can be, for example, computer-executable and / or logical execution instructions. In some examples, a computing device such as the controller 130 of FIGS. 1A and 1B communicates to the processor 136 by one or more of the computer readable media 1006, the computer recordable media 1008, and / or the communication media 1010. Configured to provide various operations, functions or actions in response to programming instructions 1004 and / or executable instructions 144.

  The non-transitory computer readable medium can also be distributed among multiple data storage elements that can be located remotely from one another. A computing device that executes some or all of the stored instructions may be a handheld device such as a cell phone, tablet, or the like. Alternatively, the computing device that executes some or all of the stored instructions can be another computing device, such as a server.

  Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail may be made to the described embodiments, everything shown in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Is done. Furthermore, it is intended that the following sections be understood to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure.

(1) A method of arranging a plurality of network audio players according to an input from a touch-sensitive display,
Instructing the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a portion of the plurality of network audio players;
Receiving data indicating gesture input via a touch-sensitive display;
Associating received data with a configuration indicated by gestures for audio playback from multiple network audio players;
Instructing multiple network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture;
Instructing the touch-sensitive display to depict a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality including the indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture;
Arranging multiple network audio players according to input from a touch-sensitive display.

  (2) commanding the touch-sensitive display means that at least some representations of the plurality of network audio players receive the input data, associate the received data with the configuration indicated by the gesture, and the plurality of networks; The method of paragraph (1), wherein the method is performed to be drawn substantially continuously by the touch-sensitive display during commanding the audio player.

(3) A plurality associated together in one or more groups formed or supplemented according to a configuration indicated by a gesture that includes forming or supplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback. Synchronizing audio playback from each of the network audio players
Suspending playback from each of the plurality of network audio players removed from the existing group in response to the configuration indicated by the gesture including removing the network audio player from the existing group;
The method according to item (1) or (2), further comprising:

(4) the received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging a representation of the first network audio player to an area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the second network audio player; The player is not associated with an existing group,
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Forming a new group for coordinated audio playback, including a first network audio player and a second network audio player;
Synchronizing audio playback from the first network audio player and the second network audio player in the new group;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), wherein the network audio player is commanded by:

(5) The received data is a gesture dragged from the representation of the first network audio player to the area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the existing group including the second network audio player and the third network audio player. To include,
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Adding a first network audio player to an existing group;
Synchronizing audio playback from a first network audio player, a second network audio player and a third network audio player in an existing group;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), wherein the network audio player is commanded by:

(6) The received data indicates that the gesture includes a squeeze gesture or a pinch gesture,
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Combining multiple network audio players into a single group for coordinated audio playback;
Synchronize audio playback from multiple network audio players;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), wherein the network audio player is commanded by:

(7) receiving data indicating a gesture to spread via a touch-sensitive display after synchronizing audio playback from a plurality of network audio players;
Instructing a plurality of network audio players to return to providing audio playback according to the playback configuration used before the single group for coordinated audio playback;
The method according to item (6), further comprising:

(8) the received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging a representation of the first network audio player in the existing group to an area of the touch-sensitive display that is not associated with the existing group;
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Removing the first network audio player from the existing group;
Stopping audio playback from the first network audio player;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), wherein the network audio player is commanded by:

(9) The existing group further includes a second network audio player and a third network audio player,
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Stopping audio playback from the first network audio player without interrupting audio playback from the second network audio player and the third network audio player in the existing group;
The method of paragraph (8), further commanding a network audio player by:

(10) The received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging a representation of the first network audio player included in the existing group to an area of the touch-sensitive display that is not associated with the existing group; The existing group includes only the first network audio player and the second network audio player,
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Deleting an existing group,
Stopping audio playback from the first network audio player and the second network audio player;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), wherein the network audio player is commanded by:

(11) the received data indicates that the gesture includes a swipe across the representation of the first network audio player associated with the existing group;
The method is
In response to receiving, directing the touch-sensitive display to draw a selectable button in an area associated with the first network audio player;
Further including
In response to receiving an indication that a selectable button is selected,
Removing the first network audio player from the existing group;
Stopping audio playback from the first network audio player;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), comprising:

(12) The received data indicates that the gesture includes a gesture to spread,
The controller follows the configuration indicated by the gesture,
If there is an existing group that associates one or more of the plurality of network audio players together for coordinated audio playback, deleting the group;
Stopping audio playback from all of the multiple network audio players;
The method according to any one of Items (1) to (3), wherein the network audio player is commanded by:

(13) The received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging a representation of the first network audio player that is not associated with an existing group to an area of the touch-sensitive display that is associated with the position of the display. , The region is not associated with any of the multiple network audio players,
The association is performed so that the configuration indicated by the gesture is not different from the previous configuration for coordinated feedback,
In response to instructing the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players, the representation of the first network audio player at the location of the display. The method according to any one of items (1) to (3), comprising:

(14) A device for configuring a plurality of network audio players,
Touch-sensitive display,
A controller,
Detecting a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is depicting a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players;
Associate the detected gesture with the configuration indicated by the gesture for playing audio from multiple network audio players,
Instruct multiple network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Displaying a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture via the touch-sensitive display;
Configured with a controller, and
A device for configuring a plurality of network audio players.

  (15) The controller draws at least some of the plurality of network audio players substantially continuously during detecting the gesture, associating the gesture, and instructing the plurality of network audio players. The device of paragraph (14), further configured as follows.

(16) The controller
A plurality of network audio players included together in one or more groups formed or supplemented according to the configuration indicated by the gesture including forming or supplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback Synchronize audio playback from each of the
Further configured to stop playback from each of the plurality of network audio players removed from the existing group in response to the configuration indicated by the gesture including removing the network audio player from the existing group. Item 14. The device according to item (14) or (15).

  (17) The device according to any one of items (14) to (16), further including an antenna for wirelessly communicating with a plurality of network audio players.

(18) detecting a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is displaying a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players;
Associating the detected gesture with a configuration indicated by gestures for audio playback from multiple network audio players;
Instructing multiple network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture;
Displaying a representation of at least some network audio players of the plurality of network audio players including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture via the touch-sensitive display;
Including a method.

(19) To order
Multiple network audio associated together in one or more groups formed or supplemented, depending on the configuration indicated by the gesture including forming or supplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback Synchronizing audio playback from each of the players;
Suspending playback from each of the plurality of network audio players removed from the existing group in response to the configuration indicated by the gesture including removing the network audio player from the existing group;
The method according to item (18), comprising:

  (20) During detection of the gesture, associating the gesture, and displaying the representation, the representation of at least some of the plurality of network audio players is substantially displayed by the touch-sensitive display. The method according to item (18) or (19), wherein the method is continuously displayed.

(21) To associate
Identifying the detected gesture as dragging the representation of the first network audio player to an area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the second network audio player, the second audio player existing Is not associated with any group of
Ordering
Forming a new group for coordinated audio playback including a first network audio player and a second network audio player;
Synchronizing audio playback from the first network audio player and the second network audio player in the new group;
The method according to any one of Items (18) to (20), comprising:

(22) Associating
Identifying the detected gesture as dragging a representation of the first network audio player to an area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the existing group, wherein the existing group is a second network audio player And a third network audio player,
Ordering is
Replenishing an existing group to include a first network audio player;
Synchronizing audio playback from the first network audio player, the second network audio player and the third network audio player in the replenished existing group;
The method according to any one of Items (18) to (20), comprising:

(23) Associating
Identifying the detected gesture as a squeeze gesture including multiple contact points with a touch-sensitive display that moves together;
Including
Ordering is
Combining multiple network audio players into a single group for coordinated audio playback;
Synchronize audio playback from multiple network audio players;
The method according to any one of Items (18) to (20), comprising:

(24) Associating
Identifying the detected gesture as dragging a representation of the first network audio player included in the existing group to an area of the touch-sensitive display not associated with the existing group;
Including
Ordering
Removing the first network audio player from the existing group;
Stopping audio playback from the first network audio player;
The method according to any one of Items (18) to (20), comprising:

(25) Associating
Identifying the detected gesture as a spreading gesture that includes moving the touch points away from the touch-sensitive display;
Including
Ordering is
If there is an existing group that associates one or more of the plurality of network audio players together for coordinated audio playback, deleting the group;
Stopping audio playback from all of the multiple network audio players;
The method according to any one of Items (18) to (20), comprising:

(26) Associating
Identifying a detected gesture by dragging a representation of a first network audio player that is not associated with an existing group to an area of a touch-sensitive display associated with a position of the display, the area comprising: Is not associated with any of the multiple network audio players,
Item 21. The method of any one of Items (18) to (20), wherein displaying includes drawing a representation of the first network audio player at a position of the display.

  (27) The displayed representation includes a separate area of the touch-sensitive display for each of at least some of the plurality of network audio players, of the plurality of network audio players for coordinated audio playback. Groups (18) to (26), wherein a group that associates at least some two or more network audio players is indicated by a visually distinct background that surrounds only two or more network audio players included in the group. The method as described in any one of these.

(28) a plurality of network audio players each configured to play audio content in accordance with instructions delivered by the network;
A controller including a user interface having a touch-sensitive display,
Detecting a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display is depicting a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players;
Associate the detected gesture with the configuration indicated by the gesture for playing audio from multiple network audio players,
Instruct multiple network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture,
Displaying a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture for coordinated audio playback;
Configured with a controller, and
A system comprising:

(29) The controller
Multiple network audio associated together in one or more groups formed or supplemented, depending on the configuration indicated by the gesture including forming or supplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback Synchronize audio playback from each of the players,
Further configured to stop playback from each of the plurality of network audio players removed from the existing group in response to the configuration indicated by the gesture including removing the network audio player from the existing group. The system according to item (28).

(30) The controller
The second audio player is further configured to identify the detected gesture as dragging the representation of the first network audio player to an area of the touch-sensitive display associated with the second network audio player. Is not associated with an existing group,
The controller
Forming a new group for coordinated audio playback including a first network audio player and a second network audio player;
Synchronizing audio playback from the first network audio player and the second network audio player in the new group;
30. The system according to item (28) or (29), wherein the system instructs a network audio player according to (28).

  (31) If there is a source of audio content that was played in the first network audio player before detecting the gesture, the controller provides the first network audio player and the first by providing the source synchronously. The system of paragraph (30), configured to synchronize audio playback from two network audio players.

(32) The controller
Further configured to identify the detected gesture as a squeeze gesture including a plurality of contact points with a touch-sensitive display that moves together;
The controller
Combining multiple network audio players into a single group for coordinated audio playback;
Synchronize audio playback from multiple network audio players;
Item 32. The system according to any one of Items (28) to (31), wherein the network audio player is instructed by:

(33) The controller
Further configured to identify the detected gesture as dragging a representation of the first network audio player associated with the existing group to an area of the touch-sensitive display not associated with the existing group;
The controller
Removing the first network audio player from the existing group;
Stopping audio playback from the first network audio player;
Item 33. The system according to any one of Items (28) to (32), wherein the network audio player is instructed by:

(34) A computer readable medium storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed on one or more processors in the computing device, cause the computing device to perform an operation,
Instructing the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a portion of the plurality of network audio players;
Receiving input data indicating gesture input via a touch-sensitive display;
Associating received data with a configuration indicated by gestures for audio playback from multiple network audio players;
Instructing multiple network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture;
Instructing the touch-sensitive display to depict a representation of at least some of the network audio players of the plurality including the indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture;
A computer-readable medium for storing instructions, including:

  (35) commanding the touch-sensitive display means that at least some representation of the plurality of network audio players receives the input data, associates the received data with the configuration indicated by the gesture, and the plurality of networks; Item 35. The computer readable medium of item (34), wherein the computer readable medium is executed to be drawn substantially continuously by the touch-sensitive display during commanding the audio player.

(36) The operation is
Multiple network audio associated together in one or more groups formed or supplemented, depending on the configuration indicated by the gesture including forming or supplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback Synchronizing audio playback from each of the players;
Suspending playback from each of the plurality of network audio players removed from the existing group in response to the configuration indicated by the gesture including removing the network audio player from the existing group;
The computer-readable medium according to Item (34) or (35), further comprising:

  While various exemplary aspects and exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various exemplary aspects and exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being determined by the appended claims. Indicated.

Claims (9)

A method of arranging audio contents to be played by each of a plurality of network audio players according to input from a touch-sensitive display provided in a controller,
The controller instructs the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a part of the plurality of network audio players, and receives the data indicating a gesture input via the touch-sensitive display, the received data And instructing the plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture. And at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture on the touch-sensitive display. And instruction so as to draw your player of expression,
The plurality of network audio players when the controller is a squeeze gesture or pinch gesture based on two or more touch points that initially move apart but generally move together, the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display Are combined into a single group for coordinated audio playback to synchronize audio playback from the plurality of network audio players with previously played audio content in a particular network audio player. Command the player,
The previously played audio content is audio content that has been previously played in a player that was most recently selected to adjust the volume of the audio content for playback and / or select a source;
A method of arranging audio contents to be played by each of a plurality of network audio players according to input from a touch-sensitive display.
The controller instructs the network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the network audio players,
If the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a gesture that spreads based on two or more contact points that are initially aligned but move away,
Instructing the plurality of network audio players to perform audio playback back to the playback configuration used before combining into a single group for coordinated audio playback. ,
The method of claim 1, further characterized.
The controller instructs the network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the network audio players,
If the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a gesture that spreads based on two or more contact points that are initially aligned but move away,
Associating the plurality of network audio players together with one or more of the plurality of network audio players in a playback configuration used prior to combining into a single group for coordinated audio playback Instructing the plurality of network audio players to delete the existing group and stop audio playback from all of the plurality of network audio players.
The method of claim 1, further characterized.
A plurality of network audio players each configured to play audio content in accordance with instructions delivered by the network;
A system comprising a controller including a user interface having a touch-sensitive display,
The controller instructs the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a part of the plurality of network audio players, and receives the data indicating a gesture input via the touch-sensitive display, the received data And instructing the plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture. And at least some of the network audio players of the plurality of network audio players including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture on the touch-sensitive display. And instruction so as to draw your player of expression,
The plurality of network audio players when the controller is a squeeze gesture or pinch gesture based on two or more touch points that initially move apart but generally move together, the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display Are combined into a single group for coordinated audio playback to synchronize audio playback from the plurality of network audio players with previously played audio content in a particular network audio player. Command the player,
The previously played audio content is audio content that has been previously played in a player that was most recently selected to adjust the volume of the audio content for playback and / or select a source;
A system characterized by this.
The controller instructs the network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the network audio players,
If the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a gesture that spreads based on two or more contact points that are initially aligned but move away,
Instructing the plurality of network audio players to perform audio playback back to the playback configuration used before combining into a single group for coordinated audio playback. ,
The system of claim 4, further characterized by:
The controller instructs the network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the network audio players,
If the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a gesture that spreads based on two or more contact points that are initially aligned but move away,
Associating the plurality of network audio players together with one or more of the plurality of network audio players in a playback configuration used prior to combining into a single group for coordinated audio playback Instructing the plurality of network audio players to delete the existing group and stop audio playback from all of the plurality of network audio players.
The system of claim 4, further characterized by:
A computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed on one or more processors in a computing device, cause the computing device to perform an action, the operation comprising:
When the controller commands the touch-sensitive display to draw a representation of at least a portion of the plurality of network audio players and receives data indicating gesture input via the touch-sensitive display, the received data is Associating with a configuration indicated by a gesture for audio playback from a plurality of network audio players, instructing the plurality of network audio players to provide audio playback according to the configuration indicated by the gesture; At least some of the plurality of network audio players including an indication of the configuration indicated by the gesture on a touch-sensitive display; And instruction so as to draw a representation,
When the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a squeeze gesture or pinch gesture based on two or more touch points that are initially separated but move to generally meet, the plurality of network audio players are coordinated Combines into a single group for audio playback and instructs the plurality of network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the plurality of network audio players with audio content previously played on a particular network audio player ,
The previously played audio content is audio content that has been previously played in a player that was most recently selected to adjust the volume of the audio content for playback and / or select a source;
A computer-readable medium characterized by storing information.
The controller instructs the network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the network audio players,
If the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a gesture that spreads based on two or more contact points that are initially aligned but move away,
Instructing the plurality of network audio players to perform audio playback back to the playback configuration used before combining into a single group for coordinated audio playback. ,
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, further characterized by storing.
The controller instructs the network audio players to synchronize audio playback from the network audio players,
If the gesture input via the touch-sensitive display is a gesture that spreads based on two or more contact points that are initially aligned but move away,
Associating the plurality of network audio players together with one or more of the plurality of network audio players in a playback configuration used prior to combining into a single group for coordinated audio playback Instructing the plurality of network audio players to delete the existing group and stop audio playback from all of the plurality of network audio players.
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, further characterized by storing.

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