Audio distribution
First Claim
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1. A method for distributing audio data to multiple audio playback devices that are connected to a network, the method comprising:
- comparing one or more network-related performance criteria of a plurality of the audio playback devices;
based on the comparison, designating one of the plurality of audio playback devices as a first active master device and the rest of the plurality of audio playback devices as slave devices, where the first active master device controls the distribution of audio data to the slave devices;
monitoring a performance criterion of the first active master device and in response designating a slave device as a second active master device that controls the distribution of audio data to one or more other slave devices; and
after designating a slave device as a second active master device, establishing data connections between each of the slave devices and one of the first and second active master devices. where each slave device is connected to only one master device, and where each master device controls the distribution of audio data only to the slave devices to which it is connected.
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Abstract
A method and device for distributing audio data to a number of audio playback devices that are connected to a network. One or more network-related performance criteria of a plurality of the audio playback devices are compared. Based on the comparison, at least one of the audio playback devices is designated as a master device and at least one other of the audio playback devices is designated as a slave device. The master device then controls the distribution of audio data to one or more of the slave devices.
24 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for distributing audio data to multiple audio playback devices that are connected to a network, the method comprising:
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comparing one or more network-related performance criteria of a plurality of the audio playback devices; based on the comparison, designating one of the plurality of audio playback devices as a first active master device and the rest of the plurality of audio playback devices as slave devices, where the first active master device controls the distribution of audio data to the slave devices; monitoring a performance criterion of the first active master device and in response designating a slave device as a second active master device that controls the distribution of audio data to one or more other slave devices; and after designating a slave device as a second active master device, establishing data connections between each of the slave devices and one of the first and second active master devices. where each slave device is connected to only one master device, and where each master device controls the distribution of audio data only to the slave devices to which it is connected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer device configured to control the distribution of audio data to audio playback devices that are connected to a network, comprising:
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a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and that is configured to; compare one or more network-related performance criteria of a plurality of the audio playback devices; based on the comparison, designate one of the plurality of audio playback devices as a first active master device and the rest of the plurality of audio playback devices as slave devices, where the first active master device controls the distribution of audio data to the slave devices; cause an identification of the first active master device and the slave devices to be stored in the memory; monitor a performance criterion of the first active master device and in response designate a slave device as a second active master device that controls the distribution of audio data to one or more other slave devices; and after designating a slave device as a second active master device, establish data connections between each of the slave devices and one of the first and second active master devices, where each slave device is connected to only one master device, and where each master device controls the distribution of audio data only to the slave devices to which it is connected. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification