Patent ID: 9182777
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: G05B,G06F,G11B,H03G,H04H,H04J,H04L,H04N,H04R,H04W,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method of implementing synchronized audio play back amongst a plurality of audio devices, wherein the method is performed by a computing device, and wherein the method comprises: receiving control information from a user interface that controls audio playback in a plurality of zones on a local network, each zone containing at least one audio device, the control information comprising a user selection of at least two zones of the plurality of zones to establish a synchrony group, wherein the computing device is further configured to reproduce audio information upon command; retrieving audio information from any of a locally stored digital audio file, a remotely stored digital audio file via a wide area network, and a streaming digital audio service; transmitting to the audio devices of the at least two zones, current clock timing information for a clock of the computing device; and transmitting the audio information and playback timing information to the audio devices of the at least two zones over the local network from the computing device, wherein the playback timing information is generated at the computing device, and wherein the playback timing information identifies a playback time relative to the clock of the computing device, and is for use in playback of the audio information by the audio devices of the at least two zones in synchrony, wherein the audio devices of the at least two zones remain independently clocked during synchronous playback of the audio information.