Resuming synchronous playback of content

• US 9,727,303 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2016
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Millington, Nicholas A. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Survillo, Oleg
• Application Number:
  US15/089,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20160216880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 709219, 709220, 709231
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/00 Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00 architectures of general purpose stored program computers G06F15/76
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2322 using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/63 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/635 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/638 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 : Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10592 : specifically adapted for recording or reproducing multichannel signals
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 : Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/20 : Automatic control H03G3/005 takes precedence; combined with volume compression or expansion H03G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/103 : Transmitter-side switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/26 : Arrangements for switching distribution systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/20 : digital audio broadcasting [DAB]
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0644 : External master-clock
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0664 : unidirectional timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 : Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 : Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 : Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 : for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/613 : for the control of the source by the destination control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components specially adapted for selective content distribution H04N21/637
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 : Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 : Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 : Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4307 : Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the video output on the TV screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43076 : of the same content streams on multiple devices, e.g. when family members are watching the same movie on different devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/04 : Synchronising for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7904 : using intermediate digital signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 : Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 : Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 : Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 : for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 : one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 : Master-slave selection or change arrangements

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.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving via a user interface of a computing device, a first input to stop playback of audio content from an audio information source by a synchrony group of a first zone comprising a first playback device and at least a second zone comprising a second playback device;

transmitting from the computing device, via a network interface of the computing device, to the first playback device, a command to stop playback of the audio content by the synchrony group;

after transmitting the command to the first playback device, displaying on the user interface, one or more graphical representations indicating that playback of the audio content by the synchrony group is stopped;

after displaying the one or more graphical representations, receiving via the user interface, a second input to cause the synchrony group to resume playback of the audio content; and

in response to receiving the second input, configuring the first playback device to at least (i) playback at least a portion of the audio content from the audio information source in synchrony with at least the second playback device, (ii) transmit packets comprising at least a portion of the audio content and playback timing information for at least a portion of the audio content to at least the second playback device, and (iii) transmit packets comprising clock time information of the first playback device to at least the second playback device, wherein the first playback device and the second playback device remain independently clocked while the first playback device plays back at least a portion of the audio content from the audio information source in synchrony with at least the second playback device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations and wherein the method further comprises:

prior to receiving the first input, displaying on the user interface, second graphical representations indicating (i) the first and second zones and (ii) the synchrony group is playing the audio content from the audio information source.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to receiving the first input, receiving at the user interface, a third input to group at least the first zone and the second zone into the synchrony group, wherein the third input identifies at least the first zone and the second zone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a first user interface, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations, wherein the audio content is first audio content, and wherein the method further comprises:

displaying on a second user interface, second graphical representations of at least (i) the synchrony group, (ii) the first zone, and (iii) the second zone;

after displaying the second graphical representations, receiving via the second user interface, a third input to play second audio content in the second zone; and

in response to the third input, configuring (i) the second playback device to leave the synchrony group and (ii) the first playback device to stop sending to the second playback device (a) the packets comprising at least a portion of the first audio content and playback timing information for at least a portion of the first audio content and (b) the packets comprising clock time information of the first playback device.

5. A computing device comprising:

at least one processor;

a user interface;

a network interface; and

memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the computing device to perform functions comprising;

receiving via the user interface, a first input to stop playback of audio content from an audio information source by a synchrony group of a first zone comprising a first playback device and at least a second zone comprising a second playback device;

transmitting via the network interface to the first playback device, a command to stop playback of the audio content by the synchrony group;

after transmitting the command to the first playback device, displaying on the user interface, one or more graphical representations indicating that playback of the audio content by the synchrony group is stopped;

after displaying the one or more graphical representations, receiving via the user interface, a second input to cause the synchrony group to resume playback of the audio content; and

in response to receiving the second input, configuring the first playback device to at least (i) playback at least a portion of the audio content from the audio information source in synchrony with at least the second playback device, (ii) transmit packets comprising at least a portion of the audio content and playback timing information for at least a portion of the audio content to at least the second playback device, and (iii) transmit packets comprising clock time information of the first playback device to at least the second playback device, wherein the first playback device and the second playback device remain independently clocked while the first playback device plays back at least a portion of the audio content from the audio information source in synchrony with at least the second playback device.

6. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations and wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving the first input, displaying on the user interface, second graphical representations indicating (i) the first and second zones and (ii) the synchrony group is playing the audio content from the audio information source.

7. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations and wherein the functions further comprise:

after configuring the first playback device, displaying on the user interface, second graphical representations indicating the synchrony group is playing the audio content from the audio information source.

8. The computing device of claim 7, wherein the functions further comprise:

before displaying the second graphical representations, receiving via the network interface, data indicating the synchrony group is playing the audio content from the audio information source.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving the data, receiving at the user interface, a third input to group at least the first zone and the second zone into the synchrony group, wherein the third input identifies at least the first zone and the second zone.

10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to the third input, configuring the first playback device as a master playback device of the synchrony group, and at least the second playback device as a slave playback device of the synchrony group.

11. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the user interface is a first user interface, wherein the audio content is a first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving via a second user interface, a third input to play second audio content by the synchrony group; and

in response to the third input, configuring the synchrony group to play the second audio content.

12. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the user interface is a first user interface, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations, wherein the audio content is first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

displaying on a second user interface, second graphical representations of at least (i) the synchrony group, (ii) the first zone, and (iii) the second zone;

after displaying the second graphical representations, receiving via the second user interface, a third input to play second audio content in the second zone; and

in response to the third input, configuring (i) the second playback device to leave the synchrony group and (ii) the first playback device to stop sending to the second playback device (a) the packets comprising at least a portion of the first audio content and playback timing information for at least a portion of the first audio content and (b) the packets comprising clock time information of the first playback device.

13. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the functions further comprise:

facilitating, via a plurality of remote user interfaces, control of playback of the audio content by at least one zone in the synchrony group.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to perform functions comprising:

receiving via a user interface of the computing device, a first input to stop playback of audio content from an audio information source by a synchrony group of a first zone comprising a first playback device and at least a second zone comprising a second playback device;

transmitting by the computing device, via a network interface of the computing device, to the first playback device, a command to stop playback of the audio content by the synchrony group;

after transmitting the command to the first playback device, displaying on the user interface, one or more graphical representations indicating that playback of the audio content by the synchrony group is stopped;

after displaying the one or more graphical representations, receiving via the user interface, a second input to cause the synchrony group to resume playback of the audio content; and

in response to receiving the second input, configuring the first playback device to at least (i) playback at least a portion of the audio content from the audio information source in synchrony with at least the second playback device, (ii) transmit packets comprising at least a portion of the audio content and playback timing information for at least a portion of the audio content to at least the second playback device, and (iii) transmit packets comprising clock time information of the first playback device to at least the second playback device, wherein the first playback device and the second playback device remain independently clocked while the first playback device plays back at least a portion of the audio content from the audio information source in synchrony with at least the second playback device.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations and wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving the first input, displaying on the user interface, second graphical representations indicating (i) the first and second zones and (ii) the synchrony group is playing the audio content from the audio information source.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations and wherein the functions further comprise:

after configuring the first playback device, displaying on the user interface, second graphical representations indicating the synchrony group is playing the audio content from the audio information source.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving the first input, receiving at the user interface, a third input to group at least the first zone and the second zone into the synchrony group, wherein the third input identifies at least the first zone and the second zone.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the user interface is a first user interface, wherein the audio content is a first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving via a second user interface, a third input to play second audio content by the synchrony group; and

in response to the third input, configuring the synchrony group to play the second audio content.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the user interface is a first user interface, wherein the one or more graphical representations are first graphical representations, wherein the audio content is first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

displaying on a second user interface, second graphical representations of at least (i) the synchrony group, (ii) the first zone, and (iii) the second zone;

after displaying the second graphical representations, receiving via the second user interface, a third input to play second audio content in the second zone; and

in response to the third input, configuring (i) the second playback device to leave the synchrony group and (ii) the first playback device to stop sending to the second playback device (a) the packets comprising at least a portion of the first audio content and playback timing information for at least a portion of the first audio content and (b) the packets comprising clock time information of the first playback device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the functions further comprise:

facilitating, via a plurality of remote user interfaces, control of playback of the audio content by at least one zone in the synchrony group.