Obtaining content from direct source and remote source
First Claim
1. A method performed by a first playback device, the method comprising:
- receiving, via a first interface of the first playback device from a network device communicatively coupled to the first playback device over an asynchronous local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is outside of the LAN;
obtaining the first audio information via the first interface of the first playback device from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to a second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device; and
selectively change from (i) receiving the first audio information from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device to (ii) receiving second audio information from a second audio information source connected to the first playback device via a direct communication link between a second interface of the first playback device and the second audio information source, transmitting the second audio information and the device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play back the second audio information in synchrony with the second playback device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Examples include a playback device with a network interface and memory with program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the playback device to (a) receive, via the network interface from a network device communicatively coupled to the playback device over a local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at an audio information source, where the audio information source is outside of the LAN, (b) obtain, via the network interface from the audio information source, the first audio information, (c) receive, from a second audio information source connected to the playback device via a direct communication link, second audio information, and (d) play back one of the first audio information and the second audio information.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method performed by a first playback device, the method comprising:
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receiving, via a first interface of the first playback device from a network device communicatively coupled to the first playback device over an asynchronous local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is outside of the LAN; obtaining the first audio information via the first interface of the first playback device from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to a second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device; and selectively change from (i) receiving the first audio information from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device to (ii) receiving second audio information from a second audio information source connected to the first playback device via a direct communication link between a second interface of the first playback device and the second audio information source, transmitting the second audio information and the device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play back the second audio information in synchrony with the second playback device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A first playback device comprising:
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a first interface; a second interface; and tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the first playback device to; receive, via the first interface, from a network device communicatively coupled to the first playback device over an asynchronous local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is outside of the LAN; obtain, via the first interface, from the first audio information source, the first audio information, transmit the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to a second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and use the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device; and selectively change from (i) receiving the first audio information from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device to (ii) receiving second audio information from a second audio information source connected to the first playback device via a direct communication link between the second interface of the first playback device and the second audio information source, transmitting the second audio information and the device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play back the second audio information in synchrony with the second playback device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a first playback device to perform functions comprising:
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receive, via a first interface of the first playback device from a network device communicatively coupled to the first playback device over an asynchronous local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is outside of the LAN; obtain the first audio information via the first interface of the first playback device from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to a second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device; and selectively changing from (i) receiving the first audio information from the first audio information source, transmitting the first audio information and device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device to (ii) receiving second audio information from a second audio information source connected to the first playback device via a direct communication link between a second interface of the first playback device and the second audio information source, transmitting the second audio information and the device clock timing of the first playback device to the second playback device via the first interface over the asynchronous LAN, and using the device clock timing of the first playback device to play back the second audio information in synchrony with the second playback device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification