Controlling and grouping in a multi-zone media system
First Claim
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1. A method for simulating a multi-channel listening environment, the method comprising:
- grouping a set of players to simulate the multi-channel listening environment, the players capable of communicating over a data network;
designating which of the players to reproduce which one of audio channels in a title selected on a controller with a display screen;
causing to process data representing the selected title into streams, each of the streams representing one of audio channels;
causing to distribute the streams respectively to the players; and
causing the players to play back the streams in synchronization.
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Abstract
Techniques for grouping or pairing individual audio products with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment are disclosed. In instead of grouping selected players to play back an audio item, a user is allowed to activate one of the players to process the data of the audio item, essentially separating the data into individual streams, each of the streams representing a single-sound track and being played back in one of the players, thus creating a multi-channel listening environment with the selected players.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for simulating a multi-channel listening environment, the method comprising:
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grouping a set of players to simulate the multi-channel listening environment, the players capable of communicating over a data network; designating which of the players to reproduce which one of audio channels in a title selected on a controller with a display screen; causing to process data representing the selected title into streams, each of the streams representing one of audio channels; causing to distribute the streams respectively to the players; and causing the players to play back the streams in synchronization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for a stereo listening environment, the system comprising:
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a plurality of players, at least a first one and a second one of the players located in one place; and a controller providing a mechanism to allow a user to select the first and second players to be paired to simulate the stereo listening environment, the first player being configured to process data for a selected title into two streams respectively for left and right sound channels, wherein the controller provides a user interface to allow the user to determine which one of the first and second players to reproduce the left sound channel or the right sound channel, the controller is further configured to display a playlist from which the title is selected. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for a stereo listening environment, the apparatus comprising:
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a network interface to facilitate the apparatus to communicate with the Internet; a phone networking interface to facilitate the apparatus to communicate with a cell phone network provided by a service provider; a user interface to enable the network interface and the phone networking interface; a display screen to allow a user to control a plurality of audio players being coupled to an ad-hoc network, select first and second audio players to be paired to simulate a stereo listening environment, both of the first and second audio players being configured to process a data stream for a selected title into two streams respectively for left and right sound channels, wherein the user determines which one of the first and second audio players to reproduce the left sound channel or the right sound channel, and configures to display a playlist from which the title is selected to be played in the stereo listening environment.
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Specification