SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES

• US 20120192071A1
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Millington, Nicholas A. J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,164,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/716
• 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 having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members 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 synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device'"'"'s clock and its respective clock and determines there from a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

Claims

1. A method to configure an audio system, the method comprising:

identifying, via a user interface, a plurality of zones on a local area network on which the user interface is connected, each zone comprising a zone player that includes a digital to analog converter and amplifier, wherein the user interface communicates with the plurality of zone players via the local area network;

displaying the plurality of zones on the user interface;

receiving a user command via the user interface to dynamically group two or more zones of the plurality of zones; and

receiving a user command via the user interface indicating an audio information source to be played in synchrony by the group.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user command via the user interface to adjust volume for a selected zone player.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein volume information is passed to the selected zone player.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein volume information is passed from the selected zone player and sent to a second zone player.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides a playlist associated with the audio information source for selection via the user command to be played in synchrony by the group.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user command via the user interface to turn the audio information source on or off.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user command via the user interface to advance to a next track in a set of multimedia for playback via the audio information source.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user command via the user interface to re-order tracks in a play list of tracks to be played via the audio information source.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a second user interface to facilitate control of playback by at least one zone in the group.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of remote user interface devices to facilitate control of playback by at least one zone in the group.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user command via the user interface to dynamically un-group one or more zones from the group of zones.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user command via the user interface to at least one of add and remove a zone to the group of zones.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of add and remove is to occur during playback of the audio information source.

14. A tangible computer readable storage medium including a computer program, which executed by a processor, is to implement a method to configure an audio system, the method comprising:

identifying, via a user interface, a plurality of zones on a local area network on which the user interface is connected, each zone comprising a zone player that includes a digital to analog converter and amplifier, wherein the user interface communicates with the plurality of zone players via the local area network;

displaying the plurality of zones on the user interface;

receiving a user command via the user interface to dynamically group two or more zones of the plurality of zones; and

receiving a user command via the user interface indicating an audio information source to be played in synchrony by the group.

15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a user command via the user interface to adjust volume for a selected zone player.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein volume information is passed to the selected zone player.

17. The claim computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein volume information is passed from the selected zone player and sent to a second zone player.

18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the user interface provides a playlist associated with the audio information source for selection via the user command to be played in synchrony by the group.

19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a user command via the user interface to turn the audio information source on or off.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a user command via the user interface to advance to a next track in a set of multimedia for playback via the audio information source.

21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a user command via the user interface to re-order tracks in a play list of tracks to be played via the audio information source.

22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises a second user interface to facilitate control of playback by at least one zone in the group.

23. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises a plurality of remote user interface devices to facilitate control of playback by at least one zone in the group.

24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a user command via the user interface to dynamically un-group one or more zones from the group of zones.

25. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving a user command via the user interface to at least one of add and remove a zone to the group of zones.

26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the at least one of add and remove is to occur during playback of the audio information source.