Method and apparatus for switching between a directly connected and a networked audio source

• US 10,157,033 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Millington, Nicholas A. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Survillo, Oleg
• Application Number:
  US13/705,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20130094670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,204 Days
• Field of Search: 709205, 709219, 709220, 709231, 381107
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/00 Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00 architectures of general purpose stored program computers G06F15/76
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2322 using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/63 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/635 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/638 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 : Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10592 : specifically adapted for recording or reproducing multichannel signals
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 : Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/20 : Automatic control H03G3/005 takes precedence; combined with volume compression or expansion H03G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/103 : Transmitter-side switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/26 : Arrangements for switching distribution systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/20 : digital audio broadcasting [DAB]
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0644 : External master-clock
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0664 : unidirectional timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 : Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 : Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 : Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 : for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/613 : for the control of the source by the destination control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components specially adapted for selective content distribution H04N21/637
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 : Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 : Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 : Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4307 : Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43076 : of the same content streams on multiple devices, e.g. when family members are watching the same movie on different devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/04 : Synchronising for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7904 : using intermediate digital signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 : Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 : Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 : Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 : for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 : one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 : Master-slave selection or change arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group

Abstract

An audio information source interface that receives first audio information from an audio information source directly connected to the audio playback device; an ADC configured to sample the first audio information; a network interface configured to connect the audio playback device to a network and to receive packets from the network containing second audio information and playback timing information from a network audio information source; a DAC for generating an analog audio signal based on either the first or second audio information; an audio amplifier interconnected with the DAC and configured to amplify the audio signal; an audio reproduction device interface interconnected with the audio amplifier; and, a control module configured to receive commands via the network interface and to provide to the DAC one of the first or second audio information.

Claims

1. A method performed by a first audio playback device, the method comprising:

changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device;

wherein in the first mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising;

(i) receiving an input signal comprising first audio information from a first audio information source directly connected to the first audio playback device, (ii) converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information, (iii) generating first playback timing information for the first audio information, (iv) transmitting the first plurality of packets, the first playback timing information for the first audio information, and first audio playback device clock information over the asynchronous network to a second audio playback device via a network interface of the first audio playback device, and (v) using the first audio information, the first playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a first analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device; and

wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising;

(i) receiving over the asynchronous network, a second plurality of packets comprising second audio information from a second audio information source via the network interface and second playback timing information for the second audio information, wherein the second audio information source is different than the first audio information source, and (ii) using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second audio information comprises audio files or packetized streaming audio information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device comprises:

determining a time differential between the second playback timing information for the second audio information and the device clock of the first audio playback device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device further comprises:

using the time differential to update the second playback timing information for the second audio information; and

using the updated second playback timing information to play the second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein packets of the second plurality of packets comprising the second audio information are addressed using a multicast address.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein packets of the second plurality of packets comprising the second audio information are addressed using a unicast address.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device comprises:

receiving the control information over the asynchronous network from the controller device via the network interface, wherein the control information indicates whether to play the first audio information or the second audio information;

operating in the first mode in response to the control information indicating to play the first audio information; and

operating in the second mode in response to the control information indicating to play the second audio information.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first audio playback device and the second audio playback device remain independently clocked while playing the first analog signal in synchrony.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs further functions comprising:

transmitting the first plurality of packets and the first playback timing information for the first audio information to a third audio playback device over the asynchronous network via the network interface while using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

10. A first audio playback device comprising:

one or more processors; and

tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the first audio playback device to perform a method comprising;

changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device;

wherein in the first mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising;

(i) receiving an input signal comprising first audio information from a first audio information source directly connected to the first audio playback device, (ii) converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information, (iii) generating first playback timing information for the first audio information, (iv) transmitting the first plurality of packets, the first playback timing information for the first audio information, and first audio playback device clock information over the asynchronous network to a second audio playback device via a network interface of the first audio playback device, and (v) using the first audio information, the first playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a first analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device; and

wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising;

(i) receiving over the asynchronous network, a second plurality of packets comprising second audio information from a second audio information source via the network interface and second playback timing information for the second audio information, wherein the second audio information source is different than the first audio information source, and (ii) using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

11. The first audio playback device of claim 10 wherein the second audio information comprises audio files or packetized streaming audio information.

12. The first audio playback device of claim 10 wherein using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device comprises:

determining a time differential between the second playback timing information for the second audio information and the device clock of the first audio playback device.

13. The first audio playback device of claim 12 wherein using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device further comprises:

using the time differential to update the second playback timing information for the second audio information; and

using the updated second playback timing information to play the second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

14. The first audio playback device of claim 10 wherein packets of the second plurality of packets comprising the second audio information are addressed using a multicast address.

15. The first audio playback device of claim 10 wherein packets of the second plurality of packets comprising the second audio information are addressed using a unicast address.

16. The first audio playback device of claim 10 wherein the input signal is an analog input signal, and wherein the first audio playback device converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information comprises sampling the input signal received from the first audio information source and forming data packets containing at least a portion of the first audio information.

17. The first audio playback device of claim 10, wherein the input signal is a digital input signal, and wherein the first audio playback device converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information comprises forming data packets containing at least a portion of the first audio information.

18. The first audio playback device of claim 10, wherein changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device comprises:

receiving the control information over the asynchronous network from the controller device via the network interface, wherein the control information indicates whether to play the first audio information or the second audio information;

operating in the first mode in response to the control information indicating to play the first audio information; and

operating in the second mode in response to the control information indicating to play the second audio information.

19. The first audio playback device of claim 10,

wherein the first audio playback device and the second audio playback device remain independently clocked while playing the first analog signal in synchrony.

20. The first audio playback device of claim 10, wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs further functions comprising:

transmitting the first plurality of packets and the first playback timing information for the first audio information over the asynchronous network to a third audio playback device via the network interface while using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

21. A tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a first audio playback device to perform a method comprising:

changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device;

wherein in the first mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising;

(i) receiving an input signal comprising first audio information from a first audio information source directly connected to the first audio playback device, (ii) converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information, (iii) generating first playback timing information for the first audio information, (iv) transmitting the first plurality of packets, the first playback timing information for the first audio information, and first audio playback device clock information over the asynchronous network to a second audio playback device via a network interface of the first audio playback device, and (v) using the first audio information, the first playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a first analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device; and

wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising;

(i) receiving over the asynchronous network, a second plurality of packets comprising second audio information from a second audio information source via the network interface and second playback timing information for the second audio information, wherein the second audio information source is different than the first audio information source, and (ii) using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

22. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 21 wherein the second audio information comprises audio files or packetized streaming audio information.

23. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 21 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving the control information from the controller device over the asynchronous network from the controller device, wherein the controller device is separate from the first audio playback device.

24. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 21 wherein the method further comprises:

wherein in the first mode, the first audio device performs further functions comprising storing the first audio information in an audio information buffer; and

wherein in the second mode, the first audio device performs further functions comprising storing the second audio information in the audio information buffer.

25. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 21 wherein the second plurality of packets comprising the second audio information is addressed using either a unicast or a multicast address.

26. The tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 21 wherein changing from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode in response to control information received over the asynchronous network from the controller device comprises:

receiving the control information over the asynchronous network from the controller device via the network interface, wherein the control information indicates whether to play the first audio information or the second audio information;

operating in the first mode in response to the control information indicating to play the first audio information; and

operating in the second mode in response to the control information indicating to play the second audio information.

27. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21,

wherein the first audio playback device and the second audio playback device remain independently clocked while playing the first analog signal in synchrony.

28. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs further functions comprising:

transmitting the first plurality of packets and the first playback timing information for the first audio information over the asynchronous network to a third audio playback device via the network interface while using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.