Synchronized playback system, synchronized playback apparatus, and control method
First Claim
1. A playback system comprising:
- a delivery server storing at least one content file connectable to a network; and
a plurality of playback apparatuses, including at least a first playback apparatus and a second playback apparatus, or at least the first playback apparatus, the second playback apparatus, and a third playback apparatus, connectable to the network, each including a plurality of functions that are selectively actuable, including;
a playback function that reproduces a content file, among the at least one content file, delivered through the network from the delivery server;
a control function that controls playback of the content file; and
a master function that selects one playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, to provide the control function,wherein the first playback apparatus, or any other playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, is selectable to provide the master function, which is configured to;
transmit a command to the second playback apparatus, or any other playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, via the network;
receive information related to construction of a playback group from the second playback apparatus that received the command;
construct at least one playback group, including a first playback group, that includes first grouped playback apparatuses, including at least the first and second playback apparatuses or at least the first, second, and third playback apparatuses, selected based on a user instruction;
select one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus, from among the first grouped playback apparatuses participating in the first playback group, to provide the control function, based on the received information; and
wherein the selected one playback apparatus providing the control function is configured to;
in a case where the first playback apparatus is selected to provide the control function, select at least one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus to provide the playback function and control the playback of the content file played by the at least one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus; and
in a case where the second playback apparatus is selected to provide the control function, select at least one of the second or third playback apparatus to provide the playback function and control the playback of the content file played by the third playback apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a synchronized playback system, a plurality of synchronized playback apparatuses are connected and perform synchronized playback. Each of the plurality of synchronized playback apparatuses includes a playback device that reproduces a content file which is delivered through a network from a delivery server, in which the content file is stored, and a control device that controls the synchronized playback. One of the plurality of synchronized playback apparatuses causes the control device to operate in a case in which the synchronized playback is performed and control the synchronized playback of a plurality of synchronized playback devices, which participate in a synchronized playback group, of the playback devices which are included in the plurality of respective synchronized playback apparatuses.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A playback system comprising:
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a delivery server storing at least one content file connectable to a network; and a plurality of playback apparatuses, including at least a first playback apparatus and a second playback apparatus, or at least the first playback apparatus, the second playback apparatus, and a third playback apparatus, connectable to the network, each including a plurality of functions that are selectively actuable, including; a playback function that reproduces a content file, among the at least one content file, delivered through the network from the delivery server; a control function that controls playback of the content file; and a master function that selects one playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, to provide the control function, wherein the first playback apparatus, or any other playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, is selectable to provide the master function, which is configured to; transmit a command to the second playback apparatus, or any other playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, via the network; receive information related to construction of a playback group from the second playback apparatus that received the command; construct at least one playback group, including a first playback group, that includes first grouped playback apparatuses, including at least the first and second playback apparatuses or at least the first, second, and third playback apparatuses, selected based on a user instruction; select one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus, from among the first grouped playback apparatuses participating in the first playback group, to provide the control function, based on the received information; and wherein the selected one playback apparatus providing the control function is configured to; in a case where the first playback apparatus is selected to provide the control function, select at least one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus to provide the playback function and control the playback of the content file played by the at least one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus; and in a case where the second playback apparatus is selected to provide the control function, select at least one of the second or third playback apparatus to provide the playback function and control the playback of the content file played by the third playback apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
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6. A control method in a playback system having a delivery server storing at least one content file connectable to a network, and a plurality of playback apparatuses, including at least a first playback apparatus and a second playback apparatus, or at least the first playback apparatus, the second playback apparatus, and a third playback apparatus, connectable to the network,
wherein each of the plurality of playback apparatuses includes a plurality of functions are selectively actuable, including: -
a playback function that reproduces a content file, among the at least one content file, delivered through the network from the delivery server; a control function that controls playback of the content file; and a master function that selects one playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, to provide the control function, wherein the control method comprises the steps of; selecting the first playback apparatus, or any other play apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, to provide the master function; transmitting a command, using the selected first playback apparatus providing the master function, to the second playback apparatus, or any other playback apparatus, from among the plurality of playback apparatuses, via the network; receiving, using the selected first playback apparatus providing the master function, information related to construction of a playback group from the second playback apparatus that received the command; constructing, using the selected first playback apparatus providing the master function, at least one playback group, including a first playback group, that includes grouped playback apparatuses, including at least the first and second playback apparatuses or at least the first, second, and third playback apparatuses, from among the grouped playback apparatuses, selected based on a user instruction; selecting, using the selected first playback apparatus providing the master function, one of first, second, or third playback apparatus, from among the grouped playback apparatuses participating in the first playback group, to provide the control function, based on the received information; and
controlling, using the selected one playback apparatus providing the control function to;in a case where the first playback apparatus is selected to provide the control function, select at least one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus to provide the playback function and control the playback of the content file played by the at least one of the first, second, or third playback apparatus; and in a case where the second playback apparatus is selected to provide the control function, select at least one of the second or third playback apparatus to provide the playback function and control the playback of the content file played by the third playback apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification