Embodiments are disclosed for mapping a networked system. In one example, a control device in a system includes a communication interface coupled to a plurality of devices via a network, a processor, and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to transmit a command via the network to the plurality of devices connected to the network, and command the devices to send, via an analog communication interface, an analog message from each device output that is connected to an associated input of another device in the system including information about the output device and output port. The instructions are further executable to determine and map each connected device in the system to an associated device input of another device based on the received analog message for that device output, and, for each mapped device, transmit device data to the device including information about analog connections of the device.

Example techniques involve control of a media playback system involving multiple zones. A control application may include different control interfaces for respective zones of the multiple zones. A control interface for a given zone may include transport controls to control playback in the zone, volume controls to control zone volume level, and an indication of media playing back in the zone. A user may utilize swipe inputs to switch between the control interfaces in order to control different zones.

A system and method for collaboration e.g. by configuring network devices for streaming electronic media data over a computer network. The network includes type 1- and type 2 network devices and the data can be streamed from a type 1 network device to a type 2 network device according to an electronic value. A use-case includes a collection of such electronic values. Such a system or method can be used for combining a digital interactive dialog window with generic web content shown by web browsers. The digital interactive dialog window can be overlaid onto the web content in an ad-hoc manner.

A method and system for configuring network devices for streaming electronic media data over a computer network. The network includes type 1- and type 2 network devices and the data can be streamed from a type 1 network device to a type 2 network device according to an electronic value. A use-case includes a collection of such electronic values.

Output devices (or output controllers connectable to an output device) that is wirelessly discoverable by an information apparatus are herein disclosed and enabled. An output device may be an audio output device, a printer, a television, a projector, or a display device. The output device may include one or more chips or chipsets that are compatible with Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 standards. The output device is operable to: wirelessly announce its availability for the information apparatus to wirelessly discover the output device when the information apparatus is within a limited physical distance to the output device; wirelessly transmit one or more device attributes related to the output device from the output device to the information apparatus that has wirelessly discovered the output device; and wirelessly receive, from the information apparatus, output data that is in accordance, at least in part, with the one or more device attributes.

Internet based digital content services, and mobile devices accessing the Internet based digital content services, are herein disclosed and enabled. The digital content services provide encrypted digital content to the mobile devices for ensuring security of the digital content. The encrypted digital content is device dependent to render at a specific device. In an example, a user of the mobile device may access the digital content at a digital content service by providing appropriate authentication or subscription information to the digital content service. Based on successful authentication, the user may select digital content from one or more digital content provided by the service. The service then generates encrypted output data that is based on the selected digital content and transmits the output data to the mobile device. The generated output data is device dependent and is rendered at specific devices, including the mobile device and output devices.

Methods and systems are provided for configuring or customizing settings or parameters of different media devices for compatible operations in an automated manner. An exemplary method of configuring a device for presenting media content in conjunction with a second device involves a client device detecting the device on a wireless network, identifying performance characteristics associated with the second device coupled to the device, and automatically configuring the device for operation with the second device via the wireless network and in a manner that is influenced by the performance characteristics associated with the second device. In this regard, one or more configurable parameters or settings maintained at the device and that influence its operation may be modified via the wireless network to correspond to performance characteristics of the second device, thereby facilitating compatible interoperation with the second device.

Methods, systems and apparatuses are described to detect and resolve device configuration and/or communication incompatibilities (e.g. incompatible messages, improper addressing, malfunctions) for a communication protocol such as HDMI-CEC.

To reduce energy consumption in a low power mode, a display device such as a TV deenergizes its display and components in its network stack while leaving its infrared (IR) receiver on. A home network device that is not a conventional TV remote control (RC), for instance, a smart speaker, can receive a voice command to energize the TV, and instead of sending a wake up command to the TV through the home network, transmits an IR wake up command or sonic wake up command or non-IP RF command to the TV, which energizes its network stack and display in response.

Example systems and techniques disclosed herein facilitate interoperability between different media playback systems referred to herein as a virtual line-in (VLI) media playback system and a native playback system. When a VLI session is created by a VLI sender, a first native playback device can join a VLI group as a VLI receiver. As a VLI receiver, the first native playback device receives audio content and playback commands from the VLI sender to facilitate synchronous playback with other VLI receivers. At the same time, this native playback device can concurrently operate as a native domain group coordinator of a native domain synchrony group. As the native domain group coordinator, the native playback device translates VLI domain audio, control, and timing signals into the native domain and distributes such signals to native domain group members. In this way, the native domain group members can synchronize their playback with the VLI group.