Patent ID: 9176520
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: G05B,G06F,G11B,H03G,H04H,H04J,H04L,H04N,H04R,H04W,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: a network device receiving 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, the network device (i) streaming the first audio content over a direct communication link from the network device to the first playback device, and (ii) generating and sending 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; the network device receiving 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, the network device generating and transmitting 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.