Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120191816 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION - Certain embodiments provide systems, methods, and apparatus for playback network diagnostics. An example method includes facilitating a connection between a server and a first playback device, the first playback device connected with a plurality of playback devices via a network, the first playback including a network topology. The example method includes receiving, at the server, data collected at the first playback device. The example method includes receiving, at the server via the first playback device, data collected from each of the plurality of playback devices identified in the network topology of the first playback device, the data routed by the first playback device to the server. The example method includes analyzing the received data to determine a status of the playback devices in the network topology. | 07-26-2012 |
20130094667 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO CONTROL AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example audio playback device includes an audio output device to generate audio signals based on a signal source, a device interface to receive a first message from a first audio information source, and a source selector to change the signal source from a second audio information source to the first audio information source based on the first message. | 04-18-2013 |
20130103873 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESS MUSIC PLAYBACK - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices via a playback network including a dock interface are disclosed. An example dock includes a docking connection to enable a portable playback device to be connected to the dock and a network communication interface to enable the portable playback device to connect to a playback network via the dock, the network communication interface to provide content from the portable playback device to at least one network playback device for playback of the content via the playback network. | 04-25-2013 |
20130116810 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES WITHOUT A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR - Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame. | 05-09-2013 |
20130170363 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MULTI-NETWORK AUDIO CONTROL - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate connection to a multimedia playback network are disclosed. An example wireless device includes a wireless communication interface to identify a first network within range of the wireless device available for connection and to facilitate connection of the wireless device to the first network. The example wireless device includes a processor to add the first network to a registry of networks for connection by the wireless device. The example wireless device includes a signal strength monitor to monitor one or more available networks from the network registry that are within range of the wireless device. The example processor is to evaluate the available network(s) to identify a preferred network for connection based on at least one network characteristic and facilitate a switch from connection of the wireless device to the first network if the preferred network is different from the first network. | 07-04-2013 |
20130191749 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING A PLAYLIST BY METADATA - Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein. | 07-25-2013 |
20130219273 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING SINGLE AND INTERNET RADIO ITEMS IN A PLAY QUEUE - Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein. | 08-22-2013 |
20130232242 | ESTABLISHING A SECURE WIRELESS NETWORK WITH A MINIMUM HUMAN INTERVENTION - Techniques for automatically configuring necessary parameters of a device to be coupled to a network with minimum human intervention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wired and/or wireless Ad-hoc network is established to facilitate communications among a group of devices. When a new device is added to the network, a rudimentary communication path is initially established between one of the devices in the network and the new device such that necessary parameters (e.g., SSID, WEP security, channel frequency) can be exchanged for the new device to function properly in the network. To ensure the parameters are exchanged in a secure fashion, an additional public security procedure can be used between the two devices. | 09-05-2013 |
20130254419 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - 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. | 09-26-2013 |
20130254663 | Systems, Methods, Apparatus, and Articles of Manufacture to Provide Guest Access - An example method includes displaying a playback queue for a media playback system to a first and second controller via a first user interface associated with the first controller and a second user interface associated with the second controller, the first controller granted a first access to the system and the second controller granted a second access to the system, the first controller displaying a subset of information available to the second controller. The example method includes displaying a plurality of controls for the system via the second user interface of the second controller, the controls associated with the second access. The example method includes displaying a subset of the controls via the first user interface, the subset including at least one control available via the second controller and associated with the first access. The example method includes facilitating control via the first user interface according to the first access. | 09-26-2013 |
20130268104 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - 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. | 10-10-2013 |
20130288802 | User Interfaces for Controlling and Manipulating Groupings in a Multi-Zone Media System - In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group. | 10-31-2013 |
20130290497 | ESTABLISHING A SECURE WIRELESS NETWORK WITH MINIMUM HUMAN INTERVENTION - Systems, methods and apparatus to join a network are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a manual user action at a zone player that is unconfigured for a first network, the action initiating automatic establishment of a connection to the first network by the zone player; transmitting, by the zone player responsive to the manual user action, a first message over a second network to be received by a device configured for the first network, wherein the first message indicating that the zone player is available to join the first network; receiving, over the second network by the zone player, a second message from the device, the second message generated responsive to receipt of the first message and including a security parameter to join the first network; and establishing a connection to the first network by the zone player using the security parameter without further input by any user via either the zone player or the device. | 10-31-2013 |
20130301429 | Methods and Apparatus for Direct Routing Between Nodes of Networks - Methods and apparatus for direction routing between nodes of networks are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a destination node of first data received at a first node; calculating a logical distance from the first node to the destination node; and, when the logical distance meets a threshold condition and when a direct route from the first node to the destination node is blocked according to a protocol setting, overriding the protocol setting to enable transmission of the first data from the first node to the destination node via the direct route. | 11-14-2013 |
20130336499 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO PROVIDE LOW-LATENCY AUDIO - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide for low-latency delivery and playback of audio are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example audio system includes multiple playback devices including a primary device and one or more secondary devices, whereby, the primary device establishes and controls a peer-to-peer network that connects, wirelessly or wired, to each of the satellite devices. An example audio device contains a channel selector, a control interface, and an audio interface. In some embodiments the control interface is used to transmit control information to another device on a first frequency channel, and the audio interface is used to transmit audio information to another device on a second frequency channel. | 12-19-2013 |
20130346559 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO PROVIDE AUTOMATIC WIRELESS CONFIGURATION - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide automated configuration of local playback devices and networks based on external input are disclosed. An example media playback device includes a control interface to receive and process, at the media playback device, network configuration information for a local network from an external source, the control interface to receive and process the network configuration from the external source without requiring user intervention. The example media playback device includes a wireless interface to communicate with the local network based at least in part on the network configuration information. The example media playback device includes a speaker to output audio based on audio information received via the local network. | 12-26-2013 |
20140003295 | DYNAMIC SPANNING TREE ROOT SELECTION | 01-02-2014 |
20140074271 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - Clock rate adjustment methods and systems, including receiving, by a playback device from a source device, a plurality of frames, including a first frame and a second frame, each frame being associated with audio information and a time indicating when to play the audio information wherein the time is based on the clock of the source device; determining, by the playback device an expected time value for a third frame; comparing, by the playback device, the expected time value to the time indicating when to play the audio information associated with the third frame; and when the difference between the expected time value and the time indicating when to play the audio information is above a threshold level, adjusting, by the playback device, a rate of a digital to analog converter clock associated with the playback device. | 03-13-2014 |
20140098713 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTICAST OPTIMIZATION - Certain examples accommodate multicast and unicast frame forwarding via wired and/or wireless port connections. An example method includes identifying a message including a frame of data to be directed to a group of playback devices via a network protocol. The example method includes overriding the network protocol for the group of playback devices to transmit a unicast message via direct routing to each member of the group of playback devices that is a “neighbor” of the first playback device. | 04-10-2014 |
20140173432 | System and Method for Synchronizing Operations Among a Plurality of Independently Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices - A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members 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 synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines there from a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. | 06-19-2014 |
20140177875 | Method and apparatus for switching between a directly connected an a networked audio source - 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. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181173 | System and Method for Synchronizing Operations Among a Plurality of Independently Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices - 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. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181270 | System and Method for Synchronizing Operations Among a Plurality of Independently Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices - 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. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181271 | Method and apparatus for displaying a list of tracks scheduled for playback by a synchrony group - 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. | 06-26-2014 |
20140181569 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES WITHOUT A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR - Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame. | 06-26-2014 |
20140277655 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES THAT INDEPENDENTLY SOURCE DIGITAL DATA - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20150016626 | Switching Between a Directly Connected and a Networked Audio Source - Examples include a playback device with an audio information source interface, a network interface, a processor, and data storage with program code, that when executed by the processor, causes the playback device to (a) receive a first analog signal including first audio information from a first audio information source, (b) receive second audio information from a second audio information source, (c) generate timing information based on the second audio information, (d) transmit the timing information and the second audio information to another playback device over a network, and (e) play back one of (1) the first analog signal or (2) a second analog signal including the second audio information in accordance with the timing information. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018994 | Obtaining and Transmitting Audio - Examples include a method that involves (a) detecting, by a network device, a command for a playback device to play an audio program, (b) obtaining, by the network device from a wide area network (WAN), audio information corresponding to the audio program, and (c) transmitting, by the network device to the playback device via a direct communication link, (i) the audio information and (ii) control information that directs the playback device to play the audio program. | 01-15-2015 |
20150036994 | Obtaining Content from Direct Source and Remote Source - Examples include a playback device with a network interface and memory with program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the playback device to (a) receive, via the network interface from a network device communicatively coupled to the playback device over a local area network (LAN), an address identifying a network location of first audio information available at an audio information source, where the audio information source is outside of the LAN, (b) obtain, via the network interface from the audio information source, the first audio information, (c) receive, from a second audio information source connected to the playback device via a direct communication link, second audio information, and (d) play back one of the first audio information and the second audio information. | 02-05-2015 |
20150039109 | Obtaining Content from Remote Source for Playback - Examples include a playback device with a network interface and memory with program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the playback device to (a) receive, via the network interface from a network device communicatively coupled to the playback device over a LAN, an address identifying a network location of audio information available at an audio information source, where the audio information source is outside of the LAN, (b) obtain, via the network interface from the audio information source, the audio information, (c) transmit, via the network interface to another playback device, the audio information, and (d) play back the audio information. | 02-05-2015 |
20150086045 | Smart Line-In Processing in a Group - Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. An example playback device includes a line-in connector for receiving a first audio signal, a network interface, and a processor. A computer readable storage medium has stored instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, and, in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, (i) cease playback of a second audio signal being played by the playback device, wherein the second audio signal is not present at the line-in connector, (ii) cause the playback device to play at least a first portion of the first audio signal, and (iii) cause the playback device to transmit, via the network interface, at least a second portion of the first audio signal to another playback device. | 03-26-2015 |
20150095470 | Identifying a Useful Wired Connection - Certain examples identify a device's useful wired connection and, when found, facilitate network configuration according to that useful wired connection. An example method includes periodically transmitting, by a first device, a first message over a wireless network interface. The example method includes listening, by the first device, for the first message over a wired network interface. The example method includes, when the first device at least receives the first message over the wired network interface, transmitting, by the first device to at least one additional device over the wireless network interface, a second message, wherein the second message includes an indication, the indication indicating that the at least one additional device can change its network configuration to utilize the wired network interface of the first device. | 04-02-2015 |
20150095689 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES WITHOUT A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR - Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame. | 04-02-2015 |
20150098583 | Control of Multiple Playback Devices - Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a speaker driver, a processor, and a computer readable medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to implement a method. The example method includes receiving, from a first audio information source, first audio information. The example method includes playing back the first audio information. The example method includes receiving, from a second audio information source, (i) a first message, and (ii) second audio information. Based on the received first message, the example method includes (i) determining that the first playback device and a second playback device are to playback the second audio information; (ii) stopping play back of the first audio information; (iii) playing back, via the speaker driver, the second audio information; and (iv) sending the second audio information to the second playback device. | 04-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120029671 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES WITHOUT A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR - Exemplary systems and methods include a distribution device that maintains a dock rate and distributes a series of tasks to a group of execution devices. Each task has a plurality of samples per frame associated with a time stamp indicating when the task is to be executed. The execution devices execute the series of tasks at the times indicated and adjust the number of samples per frame in relation to the dock rate maintained by the distribution device. | 02-02-2012 |
20120060046 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES THAT INDEPENDENTLY SOURCE DIGITAL DATA - 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. | 03-08-2012 |
20120117200 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members 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 synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of 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. | 05-10-2012 |
20120185072 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members 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 synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of 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. | 07-19-2012 |
20120191232 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members 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 synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines there from a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. | 07-26-2012 |
20120192071 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members 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 synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines there from a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. | 07-26-2012 |
20130013757 | ESTABLISHING A SECURE WIRELESS NETWORK WITH MINIMUM HUMAN INTERVENTION - Techniques for automatically configuring necessary parameters of a device to be coupled to a network with minimum human intervention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wired and/or wireless Ad-hoc network is established to facilitate communications among a group of devices. When a new device is added to the network, a rudimentary communication path is initially established between one of the devices in the network and the new device such that necessary parameters (e.g., SSID, WEP security, channel frequency) can be exchanged for the new device to function properly in the network. To ensure the parameters are exchanged in a secure fashion, an additional public security procedure can be used between the two devices. | 01-10-2013 |
20130094670 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - An audio information source interface that receives first audio information from an audio information source directly connected to the audio playback device; an ADC configured to sample the first audio information; a network interface configured to connect the audio playback device to a network and to receive packets from the network containing second audio information and playback timing information from a network audio information source; a DAC for generating an analog audio signal based on either the first or second audio information; an audio amplifier interconnected with the DAC and configured to amplify the audio signal; an audio reproduction device interface interconnected with the audio amplifier; and, a control module configured to receive commands via the network interface and to provide to the DAC one of the first or second audio information. | 04-18-2013 |
20130097290 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - An audio processing device comprising a network interface configured to connect the audio processing device to a network; a control module configured to receive control input from a user interface module interface and to configure the audio processing device, based on the received control input, to provide audio information to two or more audio playback devices; an audio information channelization device connected to the network interface configured to receive the audio information and to transmit the audio information and playback timing information in packet form via the network interface to the two or more audio playback devices. | 04-18-2013 |
20130097505 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - An audio processing device comprising: a network interface configured to receive audio information from a network; a user interface module that includes a display configured to display a plurality of audio information sources available via the network; a control module configured to receive control input from the user interface module indicating a selection of one of the plurality of audio information sources; an audio information channelization device connected to the network interface configured (i) to receive a list of audio tracks to be played, (ii) to request the audio information from the selected one of the plurality of audio information sources according to the list, and (iii) to transmit the audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices. | 04-18-2013 |
20130097506 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - An audio processing device comprising: a network interface to receive audio information from a packet network; a user interface module having a display of a list of audio tracks to be played; a control module to receive input from the user interface module indicating that a currently playing track is to be skipped and to advance playback to a next track in the list; an audio information channelization device connected to the network interface configured to (i) receive the list, (ii) request the audio information from an audio information source according to the list, (iii) transmit the audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices, and (iv) cease transmission of packets associated with a currently playing track and begin transmission of packets associated with the next track in the list to the two or more audio playback devices. | 04-18-2013 |
20130173794 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONNECTING AN AUDIO CONTROLLER TO A HIDDEN AUDIO NETWORK - An example multimedia playback device is connected to a network that is configured to not provide an indicator of existence absent a command from the multimedia playback device. The example playback device is to initiate a connection phase for a device to connect to the hidden network based on a user action at the playback device. The example playback device is to reveal a network access point in a connection phase and authenticate the wireless device with the audio network for limited connectivity to the network during the connection phase. The example playback device is to disconnect the wireless device from the audio network and accept a connection of the wireless device to the audio network in an operational phase, the connection enabled using information provided to the wireless device during the connection phase and without the limited connectivity provided in the connection phase. | 07-04-2013 |
20130197682 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES THAT INDEPENDENTLY SOURCE DIGITAL DATA - 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. | 08-01-2013 |
20130208911 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - In a network comprising at least a first zone player and a second zone player, a method comprising: receiving, at a user interface module, a command to establish a synchrony group, wherein the synchrony group comprises at least the first zone player and the second zone player; and displaying, at the user interface module, a list of information identifying a plurality of items queued for playback by the synchrony group, wherein (i) at least one of the items on the list has associated location data indicating the at least one item is located on a device attached to the local area network, and (ii) at least one other of the items on the list has associated location data indicating the at least one other item is located on a wide area network. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208921 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A method comprising: a zone player receiving control information from a user interface module, wherein the zone player is a member of a synchrony group having other members with at least one additional zone player as one of the other members; the zone player using the control information to (1) adjust a playback volume associated with the zone player, and (2) transmit an instruction to the other members of the synchrony group, wherein the instruction enables the other members of the synchrony group to adjust their playback volumes. | 08-15-2013 |
20130226323 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - An audio processing device comprising: a network interface configured to connect the audio processing device to a network; an audio information channelization device connected to the network interface and configured to receive audio via the network interface; an audio reproduction device interface configured to output audio to a playback device; a user interface module interface configured to transmit, via the network interface to a user interface module, status information pertaining to the status of a synchrony group, wherein the audio processing device is a member of the synchrony group with at least one additional audio processing device. | 08-29-2013 |
20130231765 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - Receiving, at a first zone player, information identifying a location of audio information; when the audio information is accessible by the first zone player (i) obtaining, by the first zone player, the audio information, and (ii) providing, by the first zone player, the audio information to a synchrony group; and when the audio information is inaccessible by the first zone player, instructing, by the first zone player, a second zone player to (i) obtain the audio information, and (ii) provide the audio information to the synchrony group. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231766 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A plurality of zone players, including at least a first player and a second zone player, wherein the first zone player is designated as a master device of a synchrony group, a method comprising: determining, by the first zone player, that the second zone player should be designated as the master device of the synchrony group; instructing, by the first zone player, the second zone player to be designated as the master device of the synchrony group; and causing, at the first zone player, the first zone player to lose its designation as the master device of the synchrony group. | 09-05-2013 |
20130232214 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - In a network comprising a plurality of zone players, including at least a first zone player and a second zone player, a method comprising: receiving, by the first zone player, first control information from a user interface module; based on the received first control information, transmitting, by the first zone player, second control information to the second zone player, wherein the second control information comprises (i) a network address of an audio information channelization device that provides audio information and playback timing information, and (ii) a multicast address that the audio information channelization device uses to broadcast audio information and playback timing information to the network; and playing, by the first zone player, the audio information in synchrony with the second zone player. | 09-05-2013 |
20130232415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - In a network comprising a first zone player, wherein the first zone player is a member of a first synchrony group, a method comprising: playing, at the first zone player, audio information associated with the first synchrony group; receiving, at the first zone player, control information from a user interface module, wherein the control information directs the first zone player to disengage from the first synchrony group and to join a second synchrony group; disengaging, by the first zone player based on the received control information, the first zone player from the first synchrony group; joining, by the first zone player based on the received control information, the first zone player to the second synchrony group; and playing, by the first zone player, audio information associated with the second synchrony group. | 09-05-2013 |
20130232416 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - A tangible computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a zone player to: receive control information from any one of a plurality of user interface modules; based on the received control information enter into a synchrony group with a second zone player; and transmit status information to the plurality of user interface modules, wherein the status information provides an indication of an operational status of the synchrony group. | 09-05-2013 |
20130236029 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - Receiving, by a first zone player, first control information from a user interface module; based on the received first control information, transmitting, by the first zone player, a notification to a second zone player, wherein the notification indicates that the first zone player is joining a synchrony group with the second zone player; receiving, by the first zone player, second control information from the second zone player, wherein the second control information comprises a multicast address that an audio information channelization device uses to broadcast audio information and playback timing information to the synchrony group; and playing, by the first zone player, the audio information in synchrony with the second zone player. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238108 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING OPERATIONS AMONG A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY CLOCKED DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICES - In a network comprising a plurality of synchrony groups, including at least a first synchrony group and a second synchrony group, wherein a first zone player is a member of the first synchrony group and a second zone player is a member of the second synchrony group, a method comprising: transmitting, by the first zone player while the first zone player is playing a first audio information, a second audio information to the second zone player, wherein the second audio information is different from the first audio information; and playing, by the second synchrony group, the second audio information while the first synchrony group is playing the first audio information. | 09-12-2013 |
20130254207 | Method and apparatus for managing a playlist by metadata - Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein. | 09-26-2013 |