User interfaces for controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system

摘要

In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.

主权项

1. A multimedia controller including a processor, the controller configured to:
receive, at the controller via a packet network, a zone group configuration; display, via a user interface, a plurality of zones, each zone containing at least one zone player to playback multimedia content from a multimedia source; receive, via the user interface, a first user input, the first user input selecting a first zone of the plurality of zones and, wherein the first user input instructs the first zone of the plurality of zones to play a first multimedia content; receive, via the user interface, a second user input, the second user input identifying at least one additional zone of the plurality of zones to be grouped with the first zone into a zone group, such that the zone group will synchronously play the first multimedia content currently being played by the first zone; transmit, to a zone player of the zone group via a packet network, a modified zone group configuration, wherein the modified zone group configuration causes the zone player of the zone group to configure the zones in the zone group to synchronize playback of the first multimedia content currently being played by the first zone; and display, on the user interface, an indication of which of the plurality of zones are part of the zone group.