System and Method for Synchronizing Operations Among a Plurality of Independently Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices
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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.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A tangible computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a first zone player to:
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receive control information from any one of a plurality of user interface modules; based on the received control information enter into a synchrony group with a second zone player; and transmit status information to at least one of the plurality of user interface modules, wherein the status information comprises an indication of an operational status of the synchrony group. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system comprising a plurality of zone players and a plurality of user interface modules, wherein:
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each of the plurality of user interface modules is operable to provide control information to any one of the plurality of zone players; each of the plurality of zone players is operable to receive control information from any one of the plurality of user interface modules and enter into a synchrony group based on the received control information; and each of the plurality of zone players is operable to transmit status information to at least one of the plurality of zone players, wherein the status information comprises an indication of an operational status of the synchrony group. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. In a network comprising a plurality of user interface modules, and a plurality of zone players including a first zone player and a second zone player, a method comprising:
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receiving, at the first zone player, control information from any one of the plurality of user interface modules, wherein the control information instructs the first zone player to enter into a synchrony group with the second zone player; and transmitting, by the first zone player to at least one of the plurality of user interface modules, status information, wherein the status information comprises an indication of an operational status of the synchrony group. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification