Ceasing playback among a plurality of playback devices
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- periodically receiving, by a first playback device over a local network, a message transmitted from a second playback device, wherein the message comprises clock information of the second playback device;
computing, by the first playback device based on the message, a time differential between a clock of the first playback device and a clock of the second playback device;
receiving, by the first playback device over the local network, a command from the second playback device to cease playback of a first song, wherein the first song is (i) received from the second playback device and (ii) played in synchrony by the first and second playback devices, wherein the command to cease playback includes a time indicating when the second playback device is to cease playback of the first song; and
in response to the command,(i) computing, by the first playback device, a specified time to cease playback of the first song, wherein the specified time is based on the time differential and the time indicating when to cease playback of the first song; and
(ii) ceasing, by the first playback device, playback of the first song at the specified time, wherein the specified time is concurrent with a ceasing of the playback of the first song by the second playback device.
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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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periodically receiving, by a first playback device over a local network, a message transmitted from a second playback device, wherein the message comprises clock information of the second playback device; computing, by the first playback device based on the message, a time differential between a clock of the first playback device and a clock of the second playback device; receiving, by the first playback device over the local network, a command from the second playback device to cease playback of a first song, wherein the first song is (i) received from the second playback device and (ii) played in synchrony by the first and second playback devices, wherein the command to cease playback includes a time indicating when the second playback device is to cease playback of the first song; and in response to the command, (i) computing, by the first playback device, a specified time to cease playback of the first song, wherein the specified time is based on the time differential and the time indicating when to cease playback of the first song; and (ii) ceasing, by the first playback device, playback of the first song at the specified time, wherein the specified time is concurrent with a ceasing of the playback of the first song by the second playback device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a first playback device to perform functions, comprising:
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periodically receive a message transmitted from a second playback device, wherein the message comprises clock information of the second playback device; compute, based on the message, a time differential between a clock of the first playback device and a clock of the second playback device; receive, over a local network, a command from the second playback device to cease playback of a first song, wherein the first song is (i) received from the second playback device and (ii) played in synchrony by the first and second playback devices, wherein the command to cease playback includes a time indicating when the second playback device is to cease playback of the first song; and in response to the command, (i) compute a specified time to cease playback of the first song, wherein the specified time is based on the time differential and the time indicating when to cease playback of the first song; and (ii) cease playback of the first song at the specified time, wherein the specified time is concurrent with a ceasing of the playback of the first song by the second playback device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A first playback device comprising:
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a network interface configured to receive data packets; a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause the first playback device to perform functions, comprising (i) periodically receive, via the network interface, a message transmitted from a second playback device, wherein the message comprises clock information of the second playback device, (ii) compute, based on the message, a time differential between a clock of the first playback device and a clock of the second playback device, (iii) receive via the network interface, a command from the second playback device to cease playback of a first song received from the second playback device, wherein the first song is (a) received from the second playback device and (b) played back in synchrony by the first and second playback devices, wherein the command to cease playback includes a time indicating when the second playback device is to cease playback of the first song, and (iv) in response to the command, (a) compute a specified time to cease playback of the first song, wherein the specified time is based on the time differential and the time indicating when to cease playback of the first song, and (b) cease playback of the first song at the specified time, wherein the specified time is concurrent with a ceasing of the playback of the first song by the second playback device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification