Multi-function control of one or several multimedia playback devices
The present disclosure generally concerns multi-function control of one or several audio playback devices, such as one or several speakers of a home music system. In one example embodiment described herein, a user interface arrangement for controlling multiple functions of one or several audio playback devices comprises first and second rotatable knobs ( 110 A; HOB). The first rotatable knob ( 100 A) has a first rotational axis extending in a first axial direction, wherein the first rotatable knob ( 100 A) is rotatable around said first rotational axis to control a first function and wherein the first rotatable knob ( 100 A) is further configured to be displaced axially in said first axial direction of the first rotational axis to control a second function. Furthermore, the second rotatable knob (HOB) has a second rotational axis extending in a second axial direction, wherein the second rotatable knob (HOB) is rotatable around said second rotational axis to control a third function and wherein the second rotatable knob (HOB) is further configured to be displaced axially in said second axial direction of the second rotational axis to control a fourth function.
1. A user interface arrangement configured to control multiple functions of one or more audio playback devices of a plurality of playback devices in a networked audio playback system, the user interface arrangement comprising:
a first rotatable knob having a first rotational axis extending in a first axial direction, wherein the first rotatable knob is rotatable around the first rotational axis to control a first function, and the first rotatable knob is configured to be displaced axially in the first axial direction of the first rotational axis to control a second function; and
a second rotatable knob having a second rotational axis extending in a second axial direction, wherein the second rotatable knob is rotatable around the second rotational axis to control a third function, and the second rotatable knob is configured to be displaced axially in the second axial direction of the second rotational axis to control a fourth function,
wherein the first function includes a volume function, the second function includes a selection function to select between a plurality of playback modes, the third function includes a selection function to select an audio source of the audio to be played, and the fourth function includes a function which is dependent on a current setting of the third function.
2. The user interface arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the user interface arrangement is operatively connected to a processor, and the processor is operatively connected to a memory and a communications interface, the memory comprising instructions which are executable by the processor, and the communications interface configured for wired or wireless communication with one or more audio playback devices of the plurality of audio playback devices, and
wherein a rotation of the first rotatable knob around the first rotational axis causes a first signal to be transmitted to the processor for controlling the first function, an axial displacement of the first rotatable knob in the first axial direction causes a second signal to be transmitted to the processor for controlling the second function, a rotation of the second rotatable knob around the second rotational axis causes a third signal to be transmitted to the processor for controlling the third function, and an axial displacement of the second rotatable knob in the second axial direction causes a fourth signal to be transmitted to the processor for controlling the fourth function.
3. The user interface arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the first function includes a volume function, the second function includes a selection function to select between a plurality of playback modes, the third function includes a selection function to select an audio source of the audio to be played, and the fourth function includes a function which is dependent on a current setting of the third function.
4. The user interface arrangement of claim 3 , wherein a first playback mode of the plurality of playback modes includes playing audio at one single audio playback device of the plurality of audio playback devices, and a second playback mode of the plurality of playback modes includes playing audio at two or more of the plurality of audio playback devices.
5. An audio playback device comprising the user interface arrangement of claim 4 .
6. The audio playback device of claim 5 , wherein the audio playback device is a master audio playback device in the networked audio playback system, the plurality of audio playback devices in the networked audio playback system including the master audio playback device and a plurality of slave audio playback devices configured to be controlled by the master audio playback device.
7. The audio playback device according of claim 5 , wherein the audio playback device is a speaker.
8. An audio playback device comprising the user interface arrangement of claim 3 .
9. The audio playback device of claim 8 , wherein the audio playback device is a master audio playback device in the networked audio playback system, the plurality of audio playback devices in the networked audio playback system including the master audio playback device and a plurality of slave audio playback devices configured to be controlled by the master audio playback device.
10. The audio playback device of claim 8 , wherein the audio playback device is a speaker.
11. An audio playback device comprising the user interface arrangement of claim 2 .
12. The audio playback device of claim 11 , wherein the audio playback device is a master audio playback device in the networked audio playback system, the plurality of audio playback devices in the networked audio playback system including the master audio playback device and a plurality of slave audio playback devices configured to be controlled by the master audio playback device.
13. The audio playback device of claim 11 , wherein the audio playback device is a speaker.
14. An audio playback device comprising the user interface arrangement of claim 1 .
15. The audio playback device of claim 14 , wherein the audio playback device is a master audio playback device in the networked audio playback system, the plurality of audio playback devices in the networked audio playback system including the master audio playback device and a plurality of slave audio playback devices configured to be controlled by the master audio playback device.
16. The audio playback device of claim 14 , wherein the audio playback device is a speaker.
17. An audio playback device comprising the user interface arrangement of claim 1 .
18. The audio playback device of claim 17 , wherein the audio playback device is a master audio playback device in the networked audio playback system, the plurality of audio playback devices in the networked audio playback system including the master audio playback device and a plurality of slave audio playback devices configured to be controlled by the master audio playback device.
19. The audio playback device of claim 17 , wherein the audio playback device is a speaker.
20. A user interface panel comprising the user interface arrangement of claim 1 .
21. The user interface panel of claim 20 , wherein the user interface panel is attachable to a house equipment.
22. The user interface panel of claim 21 , wherein the house equipment is a wall.
23. The user interface arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the user interface arrangement is configured to control multiple functions of two or more audio playback devices of the plurality of playback devices in the networked audio playback system.