US 7571014

A summary of US Patent 7571014 is provided below.

Title: Method and apparatus for controlling multimedia players in a multi-zone system

Assignee: Sonos Inc

Inventors: Robert A. Lambourne, Nicholas A. J. Millington

Filing Date: June 5, 2004

Issue Date: August 4, 2009

Abstract:
Techniques for controlling zone group and zone group characteristics such as audio volume in a multi-zone system are disclosed. The multi-zone system includes a number of multimedia players, each preferably located in a zone. A controller may control the operations of all of the zone players remotely from any one of the zones. Two or more zone players may be dynamically grouped as a zone group for synchronized operations. According to one aspect of the techniques, a zone group configuration can be managed, updated, modified via an interactive user interface provided in a controlling device. The zone group configuration may be saved in one of zone players. According to another aspect of the techniques, the audio volume control of a zone group can be performed individually or synchronously as a group.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent has four independent claims that cover both methods and physical apparatus for controlling a multi-zone media system.

• Claim 1: This claim describes a method for creating and controlling a group of media players. A user is shown a list of available players on a screen, selects one player to be the leader of a new group (the "zone group head"), and is then shown a list of other players eligible to join that group. Once players are selected, a group is formed, and all players within that group are synchronized to play the same content. The claim further specifies adjusting a master volume meter for the group, which represents an average of the individual player volumes. Adjusting this master meter changes the volume of all players in the group at the same time.

• Claim 16: This claim focuses on a method for controlling volume in a multi-zone system. It specifies displaying a list of volume meters on a screen, where there is a meter for each individual player and another meter for a group of players. When the group volume meter is adjusted, the volume of each player within that group is changed synchronously. The group's volume level is represented as an average of the volumes of the players in the group.

• Claim 25: This claim describes the physical apparatus (e.g., a remote controller) used to control the media players. The apparatus includes a screen, a processor, memory, a network interface, and user input controls. The processor runs software that performs the method of displaying available players, allowing a user to form a "zone group" with one player designated as the "zone group head," and then synchronizing all players in the group to that head. The apparatus also provides the function of adjusting a group volume meter (representing the average volume), which in turn synchronously controls the volume of each player in the group.

• Claim 38: This claim also describes a physical apparatus for controlling the players, with a focus on volume control. The device has a screen and the necessary components to display a list of volume meters for individual players and for a group. When a user adjusts the group's volume meter, the device sends commands to synchronously change the volume for each player in the group. This claim adds the detail that the relative volume loudness difference between the players in the group is maintained during the adjustment.

CAFC 2026 Docket Search:
As of April 26, 2026, a search for dockets at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) for the year 2026 did not show any cases specifically citing US Patent 7571014.