Method and system for synchronization of digital media playback
First Claim
1. A method for synchronizing digital media playback among multiple digital media playback devices on a network, each digital media playback device on the network being capable of initiating a synchronized playback, the method comprising, at a first digital media playback device:
- receiving a user request to synchronously playback digital media content with a second digital media playback device;
initiating a time synchronization with the second digital media playback device, said initiating including;
obtaining a time stamp from a time server over a network;
adjust internal time to match the time stamp;
enabling the second digital media playback device to obtain the time stamp over the network and adjust its internal time to match the time stamp; and
determining a particular time, accounting for one or more network inherent delays, to commence synchronized playback;
providing to the second digital media playback device a particular position point in the digital media content and the particular time; and
enabling playback of the digital media content by the second digital media playback device at the particular position point and at the particular time, said playback of the digital media content being synchronized with the playback of the digital media content at the first digital media playback device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for synchronizing digital media playback at multiple digital media playback devices interconnected on a network is provided. A digital media playback device comprising a processor, a synchronization component, a timekeeper component and a digital media source performs synchronization processes to arrange for other players to begin playback at a predetermined position and time in the digital media signal. Synchronization is accomplished by processes which approximate the arrival time of a packet containing audio and/or video digital content across the network and instruct the playback devices as to when playback is to begin, and at what point in the streaming media content signal to begin playback. One method uses a time-stamp packet on the network to synchronize all players. Other methods utilize reiterative processes to narrow approximations of packet arrival time at each playback device.
103 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A method for synchronizing digital media playback among multiple digital media playback devices on a network, each digital media playback device on the network being capable of initiating a synchronized playback, the method comprising, at a first digital media playback device:
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receiving a user request to synchronously playback digital media content with a second digital media playback device; initiating a time synchronization with the second digital media playback device, said initiating including; obtaining a time stamp from a time server over a network; adjust internal time to match the time stamp; enabling the second digital media playback device to obtain the time stamp over the network and adjust its internal time to match the time stamp; and determining a particular time, accounting for one or more network inherent delays, to commence synchronized playback; providing to the second digital media playback device a particular position point in the digital media content and the particular time; and enabling playback of the digital media content by the second digital media playback device at the particular position point and at the particular time, said playback of the digital media content being synchronized with the playback of the digital media content at the first digital media playback device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification