Patent ID: 9164532
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: G05B,G06F,G11B,H03G,H04H,H04J,H04L,H04N,H04R,H04W,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving, at a controller, information identifying a plurality of zones on a local area network (LAN) on which the controller is connected, each zone comprising a zone player that includes a digital to analog converter and amplifier and configured to form, under control of the controller, a group of two or more zones that play audio content in synchrony with each other, wherein the controller communicates with the plurality of zone players via the LAN; displaying the plurality of zones on a screen of the controller; the controller receiving a command to form a first group of two or more zones of the plurality of zones; in response to receiving the command to form the first group of two or more zones, the controller configuring the first group, wherein configuring the first group comprises the controller configuring, over the LAN, a first zone player in the first group to (a) transmit audio content, playback timing for the audio content, and device clock information to every other zone player in the first group, and (b) play back the audio content in synchrony with every other zone player in the first group according to the playback timing and the device clock information, wherein the zone players in the first group remain independently clocked while playing the audio content in synchrony, and wherein the controller is not a member of the first group; and after configuring the first group of two or more zones, the controller receiving status information over the LAN from at least one zone player of the first group.