Forwarding audio content based on network performance metrics
First Claim
1. In a media playback system comprising multiple playback devices as nodes of a mesh network, the multiple playback devices comprising at least a first media device and a second media device, a method comprising:
- comparing one or more first network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the first media device to one or more second network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the second media device, wherein the comparison indicates that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device;
based on the comparison indicating that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device, configuring the first media device as a first node of the mesh network to forward data indicating audio content via the mesh network from a network source to the second media device as a second node of the mesh network to facilitate playback of the audio content by the second media device, wherein the nodes of the mesh network consist of the multiple playback devices, the nodes excluding the network source, wherein a root node of the mesh network is connected to a local area network, and wherein the network source is connected to the mesh network via the root node; and
the second media device playing back particular audio content via one or more speakers, wherein playing back particular audio content comprises the second media device receiving, via the network interface of the second media device from the first media device, data indicating the particular audio content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments described herein involve facilitating playback in a media playback system that includes a first media device and a second media device. An example implementation involves comparing one or more first network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the first media device to one or more second network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the second media device, wherein the comparison indicates that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device. Based on the comparison, the first media device is configured to forward data indicating audio content from a network source to the second media device to facilitate playback of the audio content by the second media device. The second media device plays back particular audio content via one or more speakers by receiving data indicating the particular audio content from the first media device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a media playback system comprising multiple playback devices as nodes of a mesh network, the multiple playback devices comprising at least a first media device and a second media device, a method comprising:
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comparing one or more first network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the first media device to one or more second network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the second media device, wherein the comparison indicates that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device; based on the comparison indicating that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device, configuring the first media device as a first node of the mesh network to forward data indicating audio content via the mesh network from a network source to the second media device as a second node of the mesh network to facilitate playback of the audio content by the second media device, wherein the nodes of the mesh network consist of the multiple playback devices, the nodes excluding the network source, wherein a root node of the mesh network is connected to a local area network, and wherein the network source is connected to the mesh network via the root node; and the second media device playing back particular audio content via one or more speakers, wherein playing back particular audio content comprises the second media device receiving, via the network interface of the second media device from the first media device, data indicating the particular audio content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A media playback system comprising multiple playback devices as nodes of a mesh network, the multiple playback devices comprising at least a first media device and a second media device, wherein the media playback system is configured to perform functions comprising:
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comparing one or more first network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the first media device to one or more second network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the second media device, wherein the comparison indicates that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device; based on the comparison indicating that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device, configuring the first media device as a first node of the mesh network to forward data indicating audio content via the mesh network from a network source to the second media device as a second node of the mesh network to facilitate playback of the audio content by the second media device, wherein the nodes of the mesh network consist of the multiple playback devices, the nodes excluding the network source, wherein a root node of the mesh network is connected to a local area network, and wherein the network source is connected to the mesh network via the root node separate and distinct from the first media device and the second media devices; and the second media device playing back particular audio content via one or more speakers, wherein playing back particular audio content comprises the second media device receiving, via the network interface of the second media device from the first media device, data indicating the particular audio content. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when performed by one or more of a first media device and a second media device in a media playback system comprising multiple playback devices as nodes of a mesh network, the multiple playback devices comprising the first media device and the second media device, causes the media playback system to functions comprising:
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comparing one or more first network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the first media device to one or more second network performance metrics corresponding to a network interface of the second media device, wherein the comparison indicates that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device; based on the comparison indicating that the first media device has a better network connection than the second media device, configuring the first media device as a first node of the mesh network to forward data indicating audio content via the mesh network from a network source to the second media device as a second node of the mesh network to facilitate playback of the audio content by the second media device, wherein the nodes of the mesh network consist of the multiple playback devices, the nodes excluding the network source, wherein a root node of the mesh network is connected to a local area network, and wherein the network source is connected to the mesh network via the root node separate and distinct from the first media device and the second media devices; and the second media device playing back particular audio content via one or more speakers, wherein playing back particular audio content comprises the second media device receiving, via the network interface of the second media device from the first media device, data indicating the particular audio content. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification