Method and apparatus for switching between a directly connected and a networked audio source
First Claim
1. A method performed by a first audio playback device, the method comprising:
- receiving a first analog signal comprising first audio information from an audio information source connected to the first audio playback device via a cable connecting an audio information source interface of the first audio playback device to the audio information source, wherein the audio information source is external to the first audio playback device;
generating packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information, wherein the first playback timing information comprises a plurality of future playback times at which corresponding portions of the first audio information are to be played;
transmitting the packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information to a second audio playback device, and playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second audio playback device based on the first playback timing information and first clock timing information of a clock of the first audio playback device;
receiving packets comprising second audio information and second playback timing information via a network interface, wherein the second playback timing information comprises a plurality of future playback times at which corresponding portions of the second audio information are to be played;
receiving one or more playback control commands via the network interface;
in response to receiving the one or more playback control commands, (i) terminating playback of the first audio information, and (ii) playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information and the first clock timing information; and
while receiving the second audio information and second playback timing information via the network interface and playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information, continuing transmitting packets comprising the first audio information and the first playback timing information from the first audio playback device to the second audio playback device via the network interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device'"'"'s clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method performed by a first audio playback device, the method comprising:
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receiving a first analog signal comprising first audio information from an audio information source connected to the first audio playback device via a cable connecting an audio information source interface of the first audio playback device to the audio information source, wherein the audio information source is external to the first audio playback device; generating packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information, wherein the first playback timing information comprises a plurality of future playback times at which corresponding portions of the first audio information are to be played; transmitting the packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information to a second audio playback device, and playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second audio playback device based on the first playback timing information and first clock timing information of a clock of the first audio playback device; receiving packets comprising second audio information and second playback timing information via a network interface, wherein the second playback timing information comprises a plurality of future playback times at which corresponding portions of the second audio information are to be played; receiving one or more playback control commands via the network interface; in response to receiving the one or more playback control commands, (i) terminating playback of the first audio information, and (ii) playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information and the first clock timing information; and while receiving the second audio information and second playback timing information via the network interface and playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information, continuing transmitting packets comprising the first audio information and the first playback timing information from the first audio playback device to the second audio playback device via the network interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a first audio playback device to perform functions comprising:
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receiving a first analog signal comprising first audio information from an audio information source connected to the first audio playback device via a cable connecting the audio information source and the first audio playback device, wherein the audio information source is external to the first audio playback device; generating packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information, wherein the first playback timing information comprises a plurality of future playback times at which corresponding portions of the first audio information are to be played; transmitting packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information to a second audio playback device, and playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second audio playback device based on the first playback timing information and first clock timing information of a clock of the first audio playback device; receiving packets comprising second audio information and second playback timing information via a network interface; receiving one or more commands via the network interface; after receiving the one or more commands, (i) terminating playback of the first audio information, and (ii) playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information and the first clock timing information; and while receiving the second audio information and second playback timing information via the network interface and playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information, continuing to transmit packets comprising the first audio information and the first playback timing information from the first audio playback device to the second audio playback device via the network interface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A first audio playback device comprising:
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an audio information source interface configured to receive a first analog signal comprising first audio information from an audio information source connected to the first audio playback device via a cable connecting the audio information source interface of the first audio playback device to the audio information source, wherein the audio information source is external to the first audio playback device, and wherein the first audio playback device is configured to generate packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information and transmit the packets comprising the first audio information and the first playback timing information to a second audio playback device, wherein the first playback timing information comprises a plurality of future playback times at which the first audio playback device and the second audio playback device are to play corresponding portions of the first audio information; a network interface configured to receive packets comprising second audio information and second playback timing information, wherein the second playback timing information includes a plurality of future playback times at which the first audio playback device is to play corresponding portions of the second audio information; wherein the first audio playback device is further configured to perform functions comprising;
(i) playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second audio playback device based on the first playback timing information and first clock timing information of a clock of the first audio playback device, (ii) receiving one or more commands while playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second audio playback device, and (iii) in response to receiving the one or more commands, (a) terminating playback of the first audio information, and (b) playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information and the first clock timing information; andwherein while receiving the second audio information and second playback timing information via the network interface and playing back the second audio information based on the second playback timing information, the first audio playback device is further configured to continue transmitting packets comprising the first audio information and first playback timing information to the second audio playback device via the network interface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification