Obtaining content from local and remote sources for playback
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, by a first playback device from a network device configured to control the first playback device and communicatively coupled to the first playback device over a local area network (LAN),(a) first control information identifying a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is accessible by the first playback device outside of the LAN; and
(b) second control information identifying a second audio information source, wherein the second audio information source is accessible by the first playback device within the LAN;
after receiving the first control information, (i) obtaining, via a network interface from the first audio information source, first audio information;
(ii) transmitting, via the network interface of the first playback device to a second playback device, the first audio information, playback timing information associated with the first audio information, and device clock information of the first playback device; and
(iii) playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device by using the playback timing information associated with the first audio information and the device clock information of the first playback device to play back the first audio information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked during synchronous playback of the first audio information; and
after receiving the second control information, obtaining, via the network interface from the second audio information source, second audio information.
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Accused Products
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
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, by a first playback device from a network device configured to control the first playback device and communicatively coupled to the first playback device over a local area network (LAN), (a) first control information identifying a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is accessible by the first playback device outside of the LAN; and (b) second control information identifying a second audio information source, wherein the second audio information source is accessible by the first playback device within the LAN; after receiving the first control information, (i) obtaining, via a network interface from the first audio information source, first audio information;
(ii) transmitting, via the network interface of the first playback device to a second playback device, the first audio information, playback timing information associated with the first audio information, and device clock information of the first playback device; and
(iii) playing back the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device by using the playback timing information associated with the first audio information and the device clock information of the first playback device to play back the first audio information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked during synchronous playback of the first audio information; andafter receiving the second control information, obtaining, via the network interface from the second audio information source, second audio information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A first playback device comprising:
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one or more processors; a network interface; and tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first playback device to; receive, via the network interface from a network device configured to control the first playback device and communicatively coupled to the first playback device over a local area network (LAN), (a) first control information identifying a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is accessible by the first playback device outside of the LAN; and (b) second control information identifying a second audio information source, wherein the second audio information source is accessible by the first playback device within the LAN; after receiving the first control information, (i) obtain, via the network interface from the first audio information source, first audio information;
(ii) transmit, via the network interface of the first playback device to a second playback device, the first audio information, playback timing information associated with the first audio information, and device clock information of the first playback device; and
(iii) play back the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device by using the playback timing information associated with the first audio information and the device clock information of the first playback device to play back the first audio information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked during synchronous playback of the first audio information; andafter receiving the second control information, obtain, via the network interface from the second audio information source, second audio information. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a first playback device to:
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receive, via a network interface from a network device configured to control the first playback device and communicatively coupled to the first playback device over a local area network (LAN), (a) first control information identifying a first audio information source, wherein the first audio information source is accessible by the first playback device outside of the LAN; and (b) second control information identifying a second audio information source, wherein the second audio information source is accessible by the first playback device within the LAN; after receiving the first control information, (i) obtain, via the network interface from the first audio information source, first audio information;
(ii) transmit, via the network interface of the first playback device to a second playback device, the first audio information, playback timing information associated with the first audio information, and device clock information of the first playback device; and
(iii) play back the first audio information in synchrony with the second playback device by using the playback timing information associated with the first audio information and the device clock information of the first playback device to play back the first audio information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked during synchronous playback of the first audio information; andafter receiving the second control information, obtain, via the network interface from the second audio information source, second audio information.
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Specification