Patent ID: 9202509
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: A61C,G06F,G11B,H04N,H04R,H04S

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: identifying, via a controller, a plurality of playback devices on a local area network (LAN), wherein at least one of the plurality of playback devices is configured to request an audio data stream from a source device in response to receipt of a command via the controller over the LAN; instructing, via the controller over the LAN, at least one of the plurality of playback devices to process the requested audio data stream into at least one of a first and a second channel of the requested audio data stream and to reproduce a respective one of the first and the second channel, wherein the plurality of playback devices, when grouped, provide multi-channel sound, such that a first playback device in the group of the plurality of playback devices is configured as part of the group to reproduce the first channel of the requested audio data stream for the group and a second playback device in the group of the plurality of playback devices is configured as part of the group to reproduce the second channel of the requested audio data stream for the group; and displaying, via the controller, an indication that each of the plurality of playback devices is configured to reproduce a respective channel.