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 difference between an estimated internal time of the second digital media playback device and an actual internal time of the second digital media playback device;
determining if the time difference is within a predetermined range; and
if the time difference is not within the predetermined range, repeating the obtaining step and the determining step;
if the time difference is within a predetermined range, 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 synchronized playback of the digital media content by the second digital media playback device at the particular position point and the particular time, said playback of the digital media content being synchronized with 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.
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Citations
14 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 difference between an estimated internal time of the second digital media playback device and an actual internal time of the second digital media playback device; determining if the time difference is within a predetermined range; and if the time difference is not within the predetermined range, repeating the obtaining step and the determining step; if the time difference is within a predetermined range, 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 synchronized playback of the digital media content by the second digital media playback device at the particular position point and the particular time, said playback of the digital media content being synchronized with playback of the digital media content at the first digital media playback device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A first digital media playback device 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 first digital media playback device comprising:
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a digital media playback component playing back digital media content; a communication component receiving a user request to synchronously playback digital media content with a second digital media playback device; a synchronization component; initiating a time synchronization with the second digital media playback device by accessing a timekeeper component, including; obtaining a time difference between an estimated internal time of the second digital media playback device and an actual internal time of the second digital media playback device; determining if the time difference is within a predetermined range; and if the time difference is not within the predetermined range, repeating the obtaining step and the determining step; if the time difference is within a predetermined range, determining a particular time, accounting for one or more network inherent delays, to commence synchronized playback; a processor unit providing to the second digital media playback device through the communication component a particular position point in the digital media content and the particular time; and
whereby the second digital media playback device being enabled to commence synchronized playback with the first digital media playback device at the particular position point and the particular time. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising logic instructions executable by a first digital media playback device 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, said logic instructions, when executed:
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receive a user request to synchronously playback digital media content with a second digital media playback device; initiate a time synchronization with the second digital media playback device, said initiate includes; obtaining a time difference between an estimated internal time of the second digital media playback device and an actual internal time of the second digital media playback device; determining if the time difference is within a predetermined range; and if the time difference is not within the predetermined range, repeating the obtaining step and the determining step; if the time difference is within a predetermined range, determining a particular time, accounting for one or more network inherent delays, to commence synchronized playback; provide to the second digital media playback device a particular position point in the digital media content and the particular time; and enable synchronized playback of the digital media content by the second digital media playback device at the particular position point and the particular time, said playback of the digital media content being synchronized with playback of the digital media content at the first digital media playback device. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification