Multi-channel pairing in a media system
First Claim
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1. A first playback device comprising:
- a control interface;
a network interface;
one or more speaker drivers;
a processor; and
memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to carry out functions including;
wirelessly receiving, via the network interface, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels;
detecting, via the control interface, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first playback device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second playback device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and
after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly sending, to the second playback device via the network interface, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, through the one or more speaker drivers, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data.
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Abstract
Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein enable two or more playback devices to be paired, such that multi-channel audio is achieved. Such embodiments may be used to produce stereo and multi-channel audio environments for television and movies.
96 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A first playback device comprising:
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a control interface; a network interface; one or more speaker drivers; a processor; and memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to carry out functions including; wirelessly receiving, via the network interface, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels; detecting, via the control interface, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first playback device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second playback device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly sending, to the second playback device via the network interface, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, through the one or more speaker drivers, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19)
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8. A method comprising:
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receiving, at first playback device from a source device, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels; detecting, by the first playback device, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first playback device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second playback device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and after detecting the command, (i) sending, from the first playback device to the second playback device, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, by the first playback device, the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20)
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15. A second playback device comprising:
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a control interface; a network interface; one or more speaker drivers; a processor; and memory comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second playback device to carry out functions including; detecting, via the control interface, a command to form a multi-channel pair with a first playback device in which the first playback device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of multi-channel audio data and the second playback device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly receiving, from the first player via the network interface at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) playing, through the one or more speaker drivers, the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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21. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause a first playback device to:
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wirelessly receive, via a network interface of the first playback device, multi-channel audio data comprising a plurality of audio channels; detect, via a control interface of the first playback device, a command to form a multi-channel pair in which the first playback device is designated to play at least a first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data and a second playback device is designated to play at least a second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, wherein the first audio channel is different from the second audio channel; and after detecting the command, (i) wirelessly send, to the second playback device via the network interface of the first playback device, at least the second audio channel of the multi-channel audio data, and (ii) play through one or more speaker drivers of the first playback device the first audio channel of the multi-channel audio data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification