Obtaining and transmitting audio
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, via a network device, a first set of one or more commands for a first playback device to play first audio content streamed from the network device;
in response to receiving the first set of one or more commands, causing the network device to (i) stream the first audio content over a direct communication link from the network device to the first playback device, and (ii) generate and transmit a second set of one or more commands from the network device to the first playback device, thereby causing the first playback device to play the first audio content streamed from the network device;
receiving, via the network device, a third set of one or more commands for the first playback device to play second audio content in synchrony with a second playback device, wherein the second audio content is stored at a network location separate from the network device; and
in response to receiving the third set of one or more commands, causing the network device to generate and transmit a fourth set of one or more commands from the network device to at least the first playback device, thereby causing the first playback device to (i) obtain the second audio content, (ii) transmit the second audio content, playback timing for the second audio content, and first playback device clock information to the second playback device, (iii) play the second audio content in synchrony with the second playback device according to the playback timing and the first playback device clock information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked while playing the second audio content in synchrony, and (iv) stop playing the first audio content streamed from the network 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.
856 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, via a network device, a first set of one or more commands for a first playback device to play first audio content streamed from the network device; in response to receiving the first set of one or more commands, causing the network device to (i) stream the first audio content over a direct communication link from the network device to the first playback device, and (ii) generate and transmit a second set of one or more commands from the network device to the first playback device, thereby causing the first playback device to play the first audio content streamed from the network device; receiving, via the network device, a third set of one or more commands for the first playback device to play second audio content in synchrony with a second playback device, wherein the second audio content is stored at a network location separate from the network device; and in response to receiving the third set of one or more commands, causing the network device to generate and transmit a fourth set of one or more commands from the network device to at least the first playback device, thereby causing the first playback device to (i) obtain the second audio content, (ii) transmit the second audio content, playback timing for the second audio content, and first playback device clock information to the second playback device, (iii) play the second audio content in synchrony with the second playback device according to the playback timing and the first playback device clock information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked while playing the second audio content in synchrony, and (iv) stop playing the first audio content streamed from the network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer-executable program code, wherein the program code, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:
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receiving, via a network device, a first set of one or more commands for a first playback device to play first audio content streamed from the network device; in response to receiving the first set of one or more commands, causing the network device to (i) stream the first audio content over a direct communication link from the network device to the first playback device, and (ii) generate and transmit a second set of one or more commands from the network device to the first playback device, thereby causing the first playback device to play the first audio content streamed from the network device; receiving, via the network device, a third set of one or more commands for the first playback device to play second audio content in synchrony with a second playback device, wherein the second audio content is stored at a network location separate from the network device; and in response to receiving the third set of one or more commands, causing the network device to generate and transmit a fourth set of one or more commands from the network device to at least the first playback device, thereby causing the first playback device to (i) obtain the second audio content, (ii) transmit the second audio content, playback timing for the second audio content, and first playback device clock information to the second playback device, (iii) play the second audio content in synchrony with the second playback device according to the playback timing and the first playback device clock information, wherein the first and second playback devices remain independently clocked while playing the second audio content in synchrony, and (iv) stop playing the first audio content streamed from the network device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification