Playback device

• US 10,545,723 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2019
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• 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:
  US16/544,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20190369953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 161 Days
• Field of Search: 709219, 709220, 709231
• 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

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.

Claims

1. A method performed by a first zone player, the method comprising:

exchanging, via at least one asynchronous data network, clock timing information with a second zone player in a networked audio system that facilitates time synchronization between the first zone player and a set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system that includes the second zone player, wherein as a result of the time synchronization, the first zone player and the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system maintain a common notion of clock time;

receiving a request to engage in synchronous playback of audio content with at least one other zone player from the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system;

after receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player;

obtaining audio information that is representative of the audio content;

transmitting, to the at least one other zone player via at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information and an indication of at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information, wherein the at least one future playback time is relative to the common notion of clock time; and

engaging in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information with the at least one other zone player using the at least one future playback time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exchanged clock timing information enables a time differential between respective local clocks of the first and second zone players to be determined.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with at least one other zone player from the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system comprises:

receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player from a network device that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting, to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information and an indication of at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information comprises:

transmitting the indication of the at least one future playback time in a separate communication from the obtained audio information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting, to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information comprises:

transmitting a series of frames that each include a respective portion of the obtained audio information, and wherein the indication of the at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information comprises, for a first frame in the series of frames, an indication of a first future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to synchronously play back the respective portion of the obtained audio information contained in the first frame, wherein the first future playback time is relative to the common notion of clock time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the indication of the at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information further comprises, for each subsequent frame in the series of frames, an indication of a respective future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to synchronously play back the respective portion of the obtained audio information included the subsequent frame, wherein the respective future playback time for each subsequent frame in the series of frames is relative to the common notion of clock time.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to adjust a volume of the synchronous playback of the audio content; and

in response to receiving the request to adjust the volume of the synchronous playback of the audio content, (a) causing an adjustment of an individual volume of the first zone player and (b) transmitting, to the one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, a command to adjust an individual volume of the one other zone player.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the time synchronization involves maintaining an indication of a clock time of the second zone player, wherein the at least one future playback time is determined based on the clock time of the second zone player.

9. A first zone player comprising:

a network interface that is configured to communicatively couple the first zone player to at least one asynchronous data network;

at least one processor;

a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to;

exchange, via the at least one asynchronous data network, clock timing information with a second zone player in a networked audio system that facilitates time synchronization between the first zone player and a set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system that includes the second zone player, wherein as a result of the time synchronization, the first zone player and the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system maintain a common notion of clock time;

receive a request to engage in synchronous playback of audio content with at least one other zone player from the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system;

after receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player;

obtain audio information that is representative of the audio content;

transmit, to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information and an indication of at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information, wherein the at least one future playback time is relative to the common notion of clock time; and

engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information with the at least one other zone player using the at least one future playback time.

10. The first zone player of claim 9, further comprising program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to:

before receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player, receive a request to enter into a synchrony group with the at least one other zone player.

11. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the exchanged clock timing information comprises timestamps captured based on respective local clocks of the first zone player and the second zone player.

12. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the exchanged clock timing information enables a time differential between respective local clocks of the first and second zone players to be determined.

13. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to receive the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player comprise program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to:

receive the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player from a network device that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network.

14. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to transmit the obtained audio information and the indication of the at least one future playback time to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network comprise program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to:

transmit the indication of the at least one future playback time in a separate communication from the obtained audio information.

15. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to transmit the obtained audio information to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network comprise program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to:

transmit a series of frames that each include a respective portion of the obtained audio information.

16. The first zone player of claim 15, wherein the indication of the at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information comprises, for a first frame in the series of frames, an indication of a first future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to synchronously play back the respective portion of the obtained audio information contained in the first frame, wherein the first future playback time is relative to the common notion of clock time.

17. The first zone player of claim 16, wherein the indication of the at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information further comprises, for each subsequent frame in the series of frames, an indication of a respective future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to synchronously play back the respective portion of the obtained audio information included the subsequent frame, wherein the respective future playback time for each subsequent frame in the series of frames is relative to the common notion of clock time.

18. The first zone player of claim 9, further comprising program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor such that the first zone player is configured to:

receive a request to adjust a volume of the synchronous playback of the audio content; and

in response to receiving the request to adjust the volume of the synchronous playback of the audio content, (a) cause an adjustment of an individual volume of the first zone player and (b) transmit, to the one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, a command to adjust an individual volume of the one other zone player.

19. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the time synchronization involves maintaining an indication of a clock time of the second zone player, and wherein the at least one future playback time is determined based on the clock time of the second zone player.

20. The first zone player of claim 9, wherein the at least one other zone player comprises the second zone player.

21. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a first zone player to perform functions comprising:

exchanging, via at least one asynchronous data network, clock timing information with a second zone player in a networked audio system that facilitates time synchronization between the first zone player and a set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system that includes the second zone player, wherein as a result of the time synchronization, the first zone player and the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system maintain a common notion of clock time;

receiving a request to engage in synchronous playback of audio content with at least one other zone player from the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system;

after receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player;

obtaining audio information that is representative of the audio content;

transmitting, to the at least one other zone player via at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information and an indication of at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information, wherein the at least one future playback time is relative to the common notion of clock time; and

engaging in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information with the at least one other zone player using the at least one future playback time.

22. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein the exchanged clock timing information enables a time differential between respective local clocks of the first and second zone players to be determined.

23. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with at least one other zone player from the set of one or more other zone players in the networked audio system comprises:

receiving the request to engage in synchronous playback of the audio content with the at least one other zone player from a network device that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network.

24. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein transmitting, to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information and an indication of at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information comprises:

transmitting the indication of the at least one future playback time in a separate communication from the obtained audio information.

25. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein transmitting, to the at least one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, the obtained audio information comprises:

transmitting a series of frames that each include a respective portion of the obtained audio information, and wherein the indication of the at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information comprises, for a first frame in the series of frames, an indication of a first future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to synchronously play back the respective portion of the obtained audio information contained in the first frame, wherein the first future playback time is relative to the common notion of clock time.

26. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 25, wherein the indication of the at least one future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to engage in synchronous playback of the obtained audio information further comprises, for each subsequent frame in the series of frames, an indication of a respective future playback time at which the first zone player and the at least one other zone player are to synchronously play back the respective portion of the obtained audio information included the subsequent frame, wherein the respective future playback time for each subsequent frame in the series of frames is relative to the common notion of clock time.

27. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving a request to adjust a volume of the synchronous playback of the audio content; and

in response to receiving the request to adjust the volume of the synchronous playback of the audio content, (a) causing an adjustment of an individual volume of the first zone player and (b) transmitting, to the one other zone player via the at least one asynchronous data network, a command to adjust an individual volume of the one other zone player.

28. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein the time synchronization involves maintaining an indication of a clock time of the second zone player, wherein the at least one future playback time is determined based on the clock time of the second zone player.

29. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21, wherein the at least one other zone player comprises the second zone player.