Playback Device Synchrony Group States

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016357499-A1
Application number	US-201615243186-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 22, 2016
Priority date	Jul 28, 2003
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1 . A first playback device comprising:
one or more processors; tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the first playback device to:
operate in a first synchrony group state, wherein while in the first synchrony group state, the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from an audio information source, audio information, (2) provide the audio information to a second playback device, and (3) play back the audio information in synchrony with the second playback device;
while operating in the first synchrony group state, receive, from a controller device via at least one data network, control information;
in response to receiving the control information, transition from operating in the first synchrony group state to operate in a second synchrony group state, wherein while in the second synchrony group state the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from a third playback device, second audio information and (2) play back the second audio information in synchrony with the third playback device.

2 . The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the received control information is first received control information, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the first playback device to:
receive, from the controller device while operating in the second synchrony group state, second control information; and in response to receiving the second control information, transition from operating in the second synchrony group state to operate in an individual state, wherein while in the individual state the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from the audio information source, third audio information and (2) play back the third audio information individually.

3 . The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein, while in the first synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
provide, to the second playback device, playback timing information.

4 . The first playback device of claim 3 , wherein, while in the first synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
provide, to the second playback device, device clock information.

5 . The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein, while in the second synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
obtain, from the third playback device, playback timing information, wherein playing back the second audio information comprises playing back the second audio information in synchrony with the third playback device based on the playback timing information.

6 . The first playback device of claim 5 , wherein, while in the second synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
obtain, from the third playback device, device clock information, wherein playing back the second audio information comprises playing back the second audio information in synchrony with the third playback device based on the playback timing information and the device clock information.

7 . The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the second playback device and the third playback device are the same.

8 . The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the received control information is first control information, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the first playback device to:
receive, from the controller device while operating in the second synchrony group state, second control information; and in response to receiving the second control information, transition from operating in the second synchrony group state to operate in a direct connection state, wherein while in the direct connection state the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from a directly connected audio information source, third audio information and (2) play back the third audio information individually.

9 . The first playback device of claim 8 , wherein, while in the direct connection state, the first playback device is further operable to:
provide, to the second playback device, the third audio information.

10 . The first playback device of claim 9 , wherein, while in the direct connection state, the first playback device is further operable to:
provide, to the second playback device, playback timing information.

11 . Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by a first playback device, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:
operating in a first synchrony group state, wherein while in the first synchrony group state, the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from an audio information source, audio information, (2) provide the audio information to a second playback device, and (3) play back the audio information in synchrony with the second playback device; while operating in the first synchrony group state, receiving, from a controller device via at least one data network, control information; in response to receiving the control information, transitioning from operating in the first synchrony group state to operate in a second synchrony group state, wherein while in the second synchrony group state the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from a third playback device, second audio information and (2) play back the second audio information in synchrony with the third playback device.

12 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the received control information is first received control information, wherein the functions further comprise:
receiving, from the controller device while operating in the second synchrony group state, second control information; and in response to receiving the second control information, transitioning from operating in the second synchrony group state to operate in an individual state, wherein while in the individual state the first playback device is operable to (1) obtain, from the audio information source, third audio information and (2) play back the third audio information individually.

13 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein, while in the first synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
provide, to the second playback device, playback timing information.

14 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13 , wherein, while in the first synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
provide, to the second playback device, device clock information.

15 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein, while in the second synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
obtain, from the third playback device, playback timing information, wherein playing back the second audio information comprises playing back the second audio information in synchrony with the third playback device based on the playback timing information.

16 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein, while in the second synchrony group state, the first playback device is further operable to:
obtain, from the third playback device, device clock information, wherein playing back the second audio information comprises playing back the second audio information in synchrony wit

Assignees

• Sonos Inc

Inventors

• Millington Nicholas A J

Classifications

• G06F16/2322

  using timestamps · CPC title

• H04H20/103

  Transmitter-side switching · CPC title

• H04W56/0015

  one node acting as a reference for the others · CPC title

• H04L65/80

  Responding to QoS · CPC title

• H04R2227/005

  Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use · CPC title