Systems and methods for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices that independently source digital data

• US 20080120429A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Millington, Nicholas A.J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,086,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• 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: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• 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 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages

Abstract

In a system for distributing data, distribution device is configured to distribute timestamp, offset and source location information for a digital data stream to an execution device, and the execution device is configured to seek digital data corresponding to the received information. The execution device is further configured to execute the digital data relative to a clock rate maintained by the distribution device. Related methods include receiving timestamp, offset and source location information for the digital data stream and seeking digital data corresponding to the received offset and source location information.

Claims

1. A system for distributing digital data comprising:

a distribution device configured to distribute timestamp, offset and source location information for a digital data stream; and

an execution device configured to receive the timestamp, offset and source location information from the distribution device and to seek the digital data stream corresponding to the received offset and source location information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the execution device is further configured to execute the digital data stream relative to a clock rate maintained by the distribution device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the execution device is further configured to adjust a number of samples per frame of the digital data stream in relation to the clock rate maintained by the distribution device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the execution device is further configured to adjust a clock rate of the execution device in relation to the clock rate maintained by the distribution device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the distribution device is further configured to adjust the timestamp relative to a clock rate maintained by the execution device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the execution device is further configured to execute the digital data stream relative to a clock rate maintained by the execution device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the execution device is further configured to execute the digital data stream relative to an audio information buffer maintained by the distribution device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the execution device is further configured to adjust a number of samples per frame of the digital data stream in relation to the rate of change in the audio information buffer maintained by the distribution device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the execution device is further configured to adjust a clock rate of the execution device in relation to the rate of change in the audio information buffer maintained by the distribution device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the distribution device is further configured to adjust the timestamp relative to a rate of change in audio information buffer maintained by the execution device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the execution device is further configured to execute the digital data stream relative to the rate of change in audio information buffer maintained by the execution device.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of execution devices wherein one of the execution devices is a master execution device configured to control the distribution of the offset and source location information by the distribution device.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a user interface module configured to control the master execution device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the master execution device is configured to enable another execution device to join the plurality of execution devices.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the offset and source location information is distributed to the execution device using a selected multi-cast transmission methodology.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the master execution device is configured to transfer the ability to control the distribution device such that another execution device becomes the new master execution device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the ability to control the distribution device includes the ability to transfer the distribution device function between various execution devices in the system.

18. A method comprising:

receiving timestamp, offset and source location information from a digital data stream; and

seeking digital data corresponding to the received offset and source location information.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

executing the digital data relative to a clock rate maintained by a distribution device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising adjusting a number of samples per frame of the digital data in relation to the clock rate maintained by the distribution device.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising adjusting a clock rate of an execution device in relation to the clock rate maintained by the distribution device.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising adjusting the timestamp relative to a clock rate maintained by an execution device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising executing the digital data relative to the clock rate maintained by the execution device.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising substituting a rate of change of an audio information buffer for the clock rate.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising adjusting a number of samples per frame of the digital data in relation to the rate of change in the audio information buffer maintained by the distribution device.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising adjusting a clock rate of an execution device in relation to the rate of change in audio information buffer maintained by the distribution device.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising adjusting the timestamp relative to a rate of change in audio information buffer maintained by an execution device.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising executing the sourced digital data relative to the rate of change in audio information buffer maintained by the execution device.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising notifying a distribution device via an out-of-band HTTP transaction an execution device is prepared to initiate execution.