Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output. The method includes receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message, and determining that the localized audio message has a higher priority compared to at least one other localized audio message associated with another geographical location proximate to the wearable audio device. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the localized audio message has the higher priority, providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message with the higher priority to a user of the wearable audio device, and initiating playback of the localized audio message with the higher priority at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output. The method includes receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message, and determining that the localized audio message has a higher priority compared to at least one other localized audio message associated with another geographical location proximate to the wearable audio device. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the localized audio message has the higher priority, providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message with the higher priority to a user of the wearable audio device, and initiating playback of the localized audio message with the higher priority at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user.

Abstract: A method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each preset assignment is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices. The preset indicators are source agnostic to provide for single press access to their respectively assigned entities in the same manner irrespective of the associated digital audio source.

Abstract: A method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each preset assignment is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices. The preset indicators are source agnostic to provide for single press access to their respectively assigned entities in the same manner irrespective of the associated digital audio source.

Abstract: A method and device for synchronously playing audio data over a number of audio playback devices that are connected to a network. The distribution of particular audio data to a plurality of audio playback devices that are adapted to play audio, where the audio playback devices are all connected to a network over which audio data is delivered from a digital audio source to the audio playback devices, can be accomplished by determining when more than one of the audio playback devices has been directed to play the particular audio data, and in response to the determination directing that two or more of the audio playback devices synchronously play the particular audio data.

Abstract: A method for managing presets in an audio system is provided. The method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each of the preset assignments is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices.

Abstract: A method for managing presets in an audio system is provided. The method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each of the preset assignments is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices.

Abstract: A user interface for an audio/visual device incorporates one or both of a touch sensor having a touch surface on which is defined a racetrack surface having a ring shape and a display element on which is displayed a racetrack menu also having a ring shape, and where the user interface incorporates both, the ring shapes of the racetrack surface and the racetrack menu are structured to generally correspond such that the position of a marker on the racetrack menu is caused to correspond to the position at which a digit of a user's hand touches the racetrack surface.

Abstract: A method and device for synchronously playing audio data over a number of audio playback devices that are connected to a network. The distribution of particular audio data to a plurality of audio playback devices that are adapted to play audio, where the audio playback devices are all connected to a network over which audio data is delivered from a digital audio source to the audio playback devices, can be accomplished by determining when more than one of the audio playback devices has been directed to play the particular audio data, and in response to the determination directing that two or more of the audio playback devices synchronously play the particular audio data.

Abstract: A method for managing presets in an audio system is provided. The method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each of the preset assignments is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices.

Abstract: A method for managing presets in an audio system is provided. The method includes syncing preset assignments on a plurality of audio playback devices such that preset assignments on any one of the audio playback devices correspond to respective preset assignments on each of the other audio playback devices, and, such that, if one of the preset assignments is changed on one of the audio playback devices, each of the other audio playback devices is automatically updated such that a corresponding change is made to a corresponding preset assignment on each of the other audio playback devices. Each of the preset assignments is an assignment of an entity associated with one of a plurality of digital audio sources to one of a plurality of preset indicators on the corresponding one of the audio playback devices.

Abstract: A user interface for an audio/visual device enables a user to customize the selection of menu items that are displayable on a menu, perhaps a racetrack menu, provided by the user interface to enable the user to operate the audio/visual device, in which a multitude of menu items that may be selected for being so displayed are visually displayed and the user is able to operate a first manually-operable control (or a first set of manually-operable controls) to select a menu item from among that multitude for being displayed on the menu. It may be that the menu is simultaneously displayed with the multitude of menu items to enable the user to immediately see the results of their selections. It may be that the user is able to again select that menu item within the multitude of menu items to cause that menu item to cease being displayed on the menu.

Abstract: A user interface for an audio/visual device incorporates one or both of a touch sensor having a touch surface on which is defined a racetrack surface having a ring shape and a display element on which is displayed a racetrack menu also having a ring shape, and where the user interface incorporates both, the ring shapes of the racetrack surface and the racetrack menu are structured to generally correspond such that the position of a marker on the racetrack menu is caused to correspond to the position at which a digit of a user's hand touches the racetrack surface.

Abstract: A user interface for an audio/visual device incorporates one or both of a touch sensor having a touch surface on which is defined a racetrack surface having a ring shape and a display element on which is displayed a racetrack menu also having a ring shape, and where the user interface incorporates both, the ring shapes of the racetrack surface and the racetrack menu are structured to generally correspond such that the position of a marker on the racetrack menu is caused to correspond to the position at which a digit of a user's hand touches the racetrack surface.

Abstract: A user interface for an audio/visual device incorporates one or both of a touch sensor having a touch surface on which is defined a racetrack surface having a ring shape and a display element on which is displayed a racetrack menu also having a ring shape, and where the user interface incorporates both, the ring shapes of the racetrack surface and the racetrack menu are structured to generally correspond such that the position of a marker on the racetrack menu is caused to correspond to the position at which a digit of a user's hand touches the racetrack surface.

Abstract: A user interface for an audio/visual device enables a user to customize the selection of menu items that are displayable on a menu, perhaps a racetrack menu, provided by the user interface to enable the user to operate the audio/visual device, in which a multitude of menu items that may be selected for being so displayed are visually displayed and the user is able to operate a first manually-operable control (or a first set of manually-operable controls) to select a menu item from among that multitude for being displayed on the menu. It may be that the menu is simultaneously displayed with the multitude of menu items to enable the user to immediately see the results of their selections. It may be that the user is able to again select that menu item within the multitude of menu items to cause that menu item to cease being displayed on the menu.

Abstract: An audio/video switchbox includes a housing and one or more jacks on the housing. Each jack is configured to be connected to an end of a signal cable. A logic and control controls operation of the switchbox. The switchbox is connectable to a video display so that video images from the switchbox can be presented on the display. The switchbox is able to present an image on the display requesting that a person indicate which type of signal cable will be used to connect an audio/video device to the switchbox. The switchbox is able to automatically detect when an end of a signal cable selected by the person has been connected to one of the jacks.

Abstract: Input data is received via a touchpad of a remote control. In a relative mapping mode, the input data is used to select a menu on a display. In an absolute mapping mode, the input data is used to select an item from multiple items on the selected menu on the display. The input data is analyzed to determine whether to enable the relative mapping mode or the absolute mapping mode. The relative mapping mode or the absolute mapping mode is automatically enabled based on analysis of the input data.